Tren de Aragua, a formidable Venezuelan gang, has come under scrutiny following President Trump’s measures targeting foreign criminals. Originally a prison gang, it has evolved into a transnational group involved in various criminal activities across Latin America and the U.S., leading to significant law enforcement actions.
In September 2023, Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro deployed 11,000 soldiers to regain control of Tocorón Prison from the Tren de Aragua gang, which had transformed the facility into a luxurious resort with amenities. The gang’s leader, Hector Guerrero Flores, managed to escape during this operation. As a result, Tren de Aragua has become a focal point for former President Trump’s initiative to remove foreign criminals from the United States, particularly through mass deportations of illegal immigrants.
Tren de Aragua originated as a prison gang and was transformed into a “transnational criminal organization” by Hector Guerrero Flores, as indicated by the U.S. State Department, which has offered a $5 million reward for information leading to his arrest. Guerrero Flores, aged 41, repeatedly escaped and returned to Tocorón, eventually turning it into a leisure facility. The gang expanded its reach beyond the prison, controlling gold mines, drug trafficking routes, and illegal crossings between Venezuela and Colombia.
The name “Tren de Aragua” translates to “Train of Aragua” and is thought to derive from a railroad workers’ union that historically extorted contractors in the area. Under Guerrero Flores’s leadership, the gang’s influence has spread to countries such as Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, and Chile, diversifying into activities like sex trafficking, contract killing, and kidnapping.
Initially, Tren de Aragua spread outside Venezuela in response to the country’s severe humanitarian crisis, with current estimates of its membership ranging from 2,500 to 5,000 and annual profits reaching between $10 million to $15 million. Despite being smaller than rival criminal organizations, it has garnered notoriety for its brutal tactics. Allegations against gang members include impersonating Chilean police officers to facilitate kidnappings, such as that of opposition military officer Ronald Ojeda.
Trump has characterized Tren de Aragua as engaging in “irregular warfare” against the U.S. under Maduro’s direction. Following recent declarations, he categorized the gang as a foreign terrorist organization akin to groups like Islamic State. Law enforcement in multiple states, including Texas and Florida, has made several arrests of suspected members involved in serious crimes. Recent estimates suggest approximately 600 Venezuelans residing in the U.S. may have connections to Tren de Aragua, with 100 identified as members. Currently, there are about 770,000 Venezuelan immigrants in the U.S., many with protected status.
In summary, Tren de Aragua, originally a prison gang turned transnational criminal organization, has gained significant attention due to its expansion across continents and its criminal activities. Former President Trump has emphasized the threat posed by the gang, equating it with terrorism and facilitating various arrests in the United States. The ongoing concern reflects broader issues related to immigration and criminality within the context of U.S.-Latin American relations.
Original Source: www.bbc.com
