The Tren de Aragua has emerged as Venezuela’s most formidable criminal organization, significantly impacting both domestic and international landscapes.
This group’s evolution from a local prison gang into a formidable transnational entity underscores its adaptability and strategic acumen. Originating in Tocorón prison in Aragua state, the gang expanded its reach across international borders, buoyed by Venezuela’s mass exodus. This allowed it to establish operational cells in several South American nations, with Colombia, Peru, and Chile being notable territories. Despite a significant police and military intervention in September 2023, which aimed to reclaim control of Tocorón, the gang’s leadership managed to evade capture and continued its operations abroad.
The group’s influence in these neighboring countries has altered local criminal dynamics, drawing the attention of regional authorities. Its activities have spurred concern among U.S. legislators, leading to its designation as a Transnational Criminal Organization by the U.S. Department of the Treasury in July 2024. The U.S. State Department has further incentivized the capture of key leaders by offering substantial financial rewards.
Initially confined to the Aragua state prison system, the Tren de Aragua gained notoriety under the leadership of Héctor Rustherford Guerrero Flores, also known as “Niño Guerrero.” His tenure saw the transformation of Tocorón into a microcosm of vice, with amenities like a zoo and nightclub, financed through illicit means. This criminal empire began its expansion by dominating nearby areas and integrating with smaller gangs, which extended its criminal portfolio to include extortion, kidnapping, human trafficking, and drug smuggling.
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Throughout its expansion, the gang capitalized on the vulnerabilities of Venezuelan migrants, exploiting them as they crossed borders into new territories. The group’s presence in strategic locations like La Parada in Colombia allowed it to leverage the desperation of migrants, focusing on extortion and human trafficking.
The leadership structure of the Tren de Aragua remains hierarchical, with Niño Guerrero at its helm until his escape during the 2023 Tocorón raid. Guerrero’s trusted lieutenants, like Larry Amaury Álvarez and Yohan José Guerrero, have been pivotal in steering the group’s operations across national borders. Álvarez’s activities in Chile and eventual capture in Colombia highlight the gang’s extensive and well-coordinated network.
In recent years, the Tren de Aragua has faced increased scrutiny from South American law enforcement. This heightened focus led to numerous raids and arrests, especially in Chile, Peru, and Colombia, creating significant challenges for the gang’s ongoing operations. Nevertheless, the organization demonstrates resilience, with new cells reported sporadically in other countries such as Ecuador and Brazil.
The gang’s intricate ties with local criminal networks, like the Primeiro Comando da Capital in Brazil, reveal its complex alliances and rivalries. These relationships often involve non-aggression pacts and collaborations, ensuring mutual benefits from shared criminal enterprises.
Despite losing its stronghold in Tocorón, the Tren de Aragua continues to pose a significant threat, maintaining operations both within and outside Venezuela. Its flexibility and ability to adapt to changing conditions highlight the challenges law enforcement faces in dismantling such sophisticated criminal networks.
The Tren de Aragua exemplifies the challenges of combating organized crime in a transnational context. While its expansion has slowed and faced setbacks due to heightened international focus, its adaptability continues to perplex authorities. The path forward requires robust cooperation between nations to address the menace posed by such organizations effectively.
Tren de Aragua in the United States
For the past few years, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and the FBI have reported that the Tren de Aragua gang has established a presence in the United States. They have traced the gang’s activities along migration routes across South America, where they have formed criminal networks, and observed their movement northward into the U.S.
There are over 70 instances in law enforcement documents and prosecutor complaints that reference Tren de Aragua. Of these, CBP in Texas has identified 58 individuals as gang members between fiscal year 2023 and May 2024. The gang’s presence continues to grow, prompting the current administration to implement stringent legal measures against Tren de Aragua and other gangs. The remaining cases involve complaints from victims or arrest reports indicating potential links to this organized crime group.
Trump Leverages Historic Alien Enemies Act to Expedite Deportations
President Donald Trump has invoked the Alien Enemies Act of 1798 to fast-track deportations linked to the Venezuelan criminal organization, Tren de Aragua. This is the first application of the act since World War II, allowing Trump to deport individuals without judicial hearings. He has labeled Tren de Aragua as an invading force attempting to infiltrate the U.S.
In response, U.S. District Judge James E. Boasberg temporarily blocked the deportations for further legal review. This move aligns with Trump’s established stance on illegal immigration, reflecting his campaign promises and earlier executive orders. Historically, the Alien Enemies Act has granted presidents the authority to detain and deport non-citizens during wartime, having been used in conflicts such as the War of 1812 and WWII, which saw the internment of over 120,000 Japanese Americans.
