Tren de Aragua is a Venezuelan gang that has transitioned from a prison-based organization to a transnational criminal entity under Hector Guerrero Flores. Recent military operations in Venezuela aimed to reclaim Tocorón Prison from the gang’s control. The group has been linked to severe criminal activities and has piqued the interest of U.S. authorities, with discussions of it posing significant national security threats.
In September 2023, Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro dispatched 11,000 soldiers to reclaim the Tocorón Prison in Aragua state from the Tren de Aragua gang. This operation was not to quell a riot, but to regain control of a prison that had been transformed into an opulent environment, featuring a zoo, restaurants, a nightclub, a betting shop, and a swimming pool. However, the gang’s leader, Hector Guerrero Flores, managed to escape during the military operation.
Tren de Aragua began as a prison gang, which under Hector Guerrero Flores’ leadership, became a formidable transnational criminal organization. The United States Department of State has placed a $5 million bounty on Guerrero Flores, who has served time in Tocorón for over a decade. His criminal escapades include bribing guards for escape opportunities and subsequently turning Tocorón into a leisure complex. The gang’s influence has extended beyond prison walls, securing control over gold mines in Bolivar state and drug trafficking routes along the Caribbean coast.
The name “Tren de Aragua,” meaning “Train of Aragua,” is believed to be derived from a railroad workers’ union known for extorting contractors. Since its inception, the gang has expanded to countries such as Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, and Chile, diversifying its criminal activities to include sex trafficking, contract killings, and kidnappings. Following Venezuela’s humanitarian crisis in 2014, the gang’s operations proliferated internationally, with estimates suggesting a membership of around 5,000 and profits ranging from $10 million to $15 million annually.
Though smaller than other major Latin American gangs, Tren de Aragua has gained notoriety for its brutality, with accounts of severe violence against rivals and opposition figures. The US Treasury imposed sanctions on the gang last summer, identifying its involvement in sex trafficking across the US border.
Recent remarks by former President Donald Trump cited Tren de Aragua as a significant threat, invoking the 18th Century Alien Enemies Act. He accused the gang of engaging in “irregular warfare” against the US, with support from President Maduro. In 2023, the gang was designated a foreign terrorist organization. Alleged members have been arrested in states such as Texas, Florida, New York, and Illinois, facing various charges. Estimates suggest that up to 600 Venezuelan migrants in the US may have links to Tren de Aragua, with 100 believed to be active members. Current statistics indicate approximately 770,000 Venezuelans are residing in the US, primarily granted protected status by the government.
Tren de Aragua has evolved from a prison gang to a dangerous transnational criminal organization with significant operations across multiple countries. Under the leadership of Hector Guerrero Flores, the gang has expanded its activities from extortion to severe crimes such as sex trafficking and murder. The group’s growing presence in the United States has attracted federal attention, leading to designations as a foreign terrorist organization by the government. Combating this gang remains paramount for US authorities amidst rising concerns.
Original Source: www.bbc.com
