Tren de Aragua, a Venezuelan gang led by Hector Guerrero Flores, has expanded into a transnational criminal organization known for activities such as sex trafficking and contract killings. The U.S. government, following concerns about its threat, has designated it as a foreign terrorist organization, prompting law enforcement actions and heightened scrutiny of Venezuelan migrants in the United States.
In September 2023, Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro deployed 11,000 soldiers to assert control over the Tocorón Prison in the Aragua state. This drastic measure was not in response to a riot but rather to reclaim authority from the Tren de Aragua gang, which had turned the facility into an extravagant complex with amenities like a zoo, restaurants, and a nightclub. Notably, the gang’s leader, Hector Guerrero Flores, managed to escape during the operation.
Tren de Aragua began as a prison gang under the leadership of Hector Guerrero Flores, who transformed it into a transnational criminal organization. The U.S. State Department has since offered a $5 million reward for information leading to his capture. With a history of escaping and bribery, Guerrero Flores expanded the gang’s reach beyond prison walls, controlling gold mines, drug trafficking routes, and smuggling operations across borders.
The gang’s name, translating to “Train of Aragua,” possibly derives from a railroad union that formerly operated in the region, known for extorting job contractors. Under Guerrero Flores, Tren de Aragua has extended its operations into multiple countries, including Colombia, Ecuador, and Chile, evolving its activities to include sex trafficking, kidnappings, and contract killings.
As Venezuela faced a severe humanitarian crisis beginning in 2014, Tren de Aragua expanded internationally, estimated to comprise approximately 5,000 members and generate annual profits of $10-15 million. Comparatively smaller than other Latin American criminal groups, it is frequently likened to the violent MS-13 due to its reputed methods of operation, which include brutal tactics like murder and torture.
The U.S. government has expressed concerns regarding Tren de Aragua, with President Trump alleging that the gang is engaged in acts of “irregular warfare” against the United States at Maduro’s behest. Declaring it a foreign terrorist organization, he likened it to known extremist groups like the Islamic State. Recent arrests of alleged members in states such as Texas and Illinois highlight ongoing law enforcement efforts to address the threat.
The Department of Homeland Security estimated that approximately 600 Venezuelan migrants in the United States might have links to Tren de Aragua, with around 100 identified as members. As of 2023, the Venezuelan immigrant population in the U.S. stands at approximately 770,000, accounting for nearly 2% of the total immigrant community. Reports from Customs and Border Protection indicate significant encounters with Venezuelan migrants at the southern border, with numbers reaching 313,500 in 2024.
The Tren de Aragua gang represents a significant transnational criminal threat, evolving from a prison-based organization to a wide-reaching entity involved in multiple serious crimes. The U.S. government’s designation of the gang as a foreign terrorist organization reflects heightened concerns about its activities and potential impact on national security. The ongoing arrests and connections to the Venezuelan immigrant population further complicate efforts to manage the situation effectively.
Original Source: www.bbc.com
