Tren de Aragua: Understanding the Venezuelan Gang’s Global Reach
The Tren de Aragua is a Venezuelan gang that evolved from a prison-based organization to a transnational criminal entity. Founded in 2014, it has expanded its operations worldwide, becoming involved in drug trafficking, kidnappings, and violence in various countries, particularly the U.S. The gang has been labeled a foreign terrorist organization by the Biden administration, reflecting its extensive threat level.
The Tren de Aragua is a Venezuelan gang that originated in a prison and has evolved into a multinational criminal organization, executing criminal exploits from New York City to Santiago, Chile. Initially formed in 2014 within Tocorón prison in the Aragua state of Venezuela, the gang derives its name from a workers’ union linked to a railway project between Caracas and Aragua.
Control within Tocorón prison granted the gang power to operate a zoo, swimming pool, disco, restaurant, and bar, all while orchestrating robberies, kidnappings, and murders. The economic turmoil in Venezuela prompted the gang to expand beyond borders, primarily recruiting from the diaspora of approximately 8 million Venezuelans who sought refuge overseas after fleeing the crisis.
New criminal cells emerged in Colombia, Peru, and Chile, where the gang engaged in drug trafficking, human smuggling, extortion, and prostitution. The Tren de Aragua’s involvement in high-profile crimes includes the 2024 abduction and murder of Ronald Ojeda, a former Venezuelan army officer, carried out by gang members posing as police. Two individuals connected to the gang were apprehended in relation to this incident.
The gang’s reach eventually extended into the United States, home to approximately 700,000 Venezuelan migrants. Initial activities included a series of robberies, as well as violent incidents such as the shooting of two New York Police officers and the murder of a former police officer in Florida. Arrests linked to Tren de Aragua have occurred in states such as Pennsylvania, Florida, New York, Texas, and California.
In 2021, the Biden administration officially labeled the Tren de Aragua as a transnational criminal organization. Following that, in January 2022, it was designated as a foreign terrorist organization by the U.S. government, highlighting the extensive threat posed by this gang.
The Tren de Aragua has transitioned from a prison gang to a formidable multinational criminal organization, leveraging Venezuela’s economic crisis to expand its operations. Their engagement in severe criminal activities across several countries, particularly in the Americas, has drawn the attention of international law enforcement agencies. The label of a foreign terrorist organization signals a significant acknowledgment of the gang’s dangerous influence and the necessity for international cooperation to address the threats posed by such multinational crime syndicates.
Original Source: laist.com
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