In September 2023, Venezuelan President Maduro dispatched soldiers to reclaim Tocorón Prison from Tren de Aragua, a gang turning it into a leisure hub. The gang, led by Hector Guerrero Flores, has expanded its activities internationally, engaging in various crimes. President Trump has since identified the group as a foreign terrorist organization and a significant threat to U.S. national security, leading to recent arrests and concerns regarding Venezuelan migrants connected to the gang.
In September 2023, Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro deployed 11,000 soldiers to reclaim control of Tocorón Prison, previously usurped by the Tren de Aragua gang. Rather than addressing a riot, these troops were tasked with regaining authority from a gang that had effectively transformed the prison into an extravagant leisure facility complete with amenities such as a zoo and nightclub. Despite the operation, the gang’s leader, Hector Guerrero Flores, managed to escape.
Tren de Aragua, originally a prison gang, has evolved into a transnational criminal organization under the leadership of Guerrero Flores, as per the U.S. State Department. A reward of $5 million has been offered for information leading to Guerrero Flores’s capture. He has a long history with the Tocorón prison, having escaped once in 2012, then returned and expanded the gang’s influence by controlling gold mines and drug trafficking routes.
The name “Tren de Aragua” translates to “Train of Aragua,” possibly originating from a railroad workers’ union known for extorting contractors. Experts like Luis Izquiel suggest that the gang has diversified into sex trafficking, contract killings, and kidnappings, expanding its criminal activities beyond Venezuela into Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, and Chile.
Tren de Aragua, which emerged in the context of Venezuela’s humanitarian crisis, is reported to have connections in at least eight countries, including to the United States. Journalist Ronna Rísquez estimates the gang’s membership at approximately 5,000, while others suggest lower figures. Despite being smaller than some Latin American gangs, it is described as a “brutal organization” comparable to MS-13, notorious for its violent methods, including a recent kidnapping of a Venezuelan officer in Chile.
Under the Biden administration, the U.S. Treasury Department sanctioned Tren de Aragua for its involvement in sex-trafficking. President Trump has also taken a firm stance against the gang, citing a threat to U.S. national security through irregular warfare and declaring it a foreign terrorist organization. Reports indicate that arrests of suspected Tren de Aragua members are occurring across states such as Texas, Florida, New York, and Illinois. The Department of Homeland Security estimated that about 600 Venezuelans in the U.S. might have ties to the gang, with 100 being confirmed members.
As of 2023, approximately 770,000 Venezuelans reside in the U.S., making up nearly 2% of the immigrant population, many of whom hold protected status. Customs and Border Protection reported encounters with 313,500 Venezuelan migrants at the border in 2024, illustrating the ongoing challenges related to immigration and organized crime.
The Tren de Aragua gang’s evolution from a prison group to a vast transnational criminal organization highlights significant concerns regarding organized crime and its expansion beyond Venezuelan borders. As it has infiltrated various regions in Latin America and established connections within the United States, the gang poses ongoing threats, prompting U.S. governmental attention and sanctions. The situation underscores the complexities related to crime, immigration, and national security, necessitating continuous vigilance from authorities.
Original Source: www.bbc.com
