Tren de Aragua: Understanding the Multinational Venezuelan Gang
The Tren de Aragua is a Venezuelan gang formed in a prison in 2014 that has become a multinational criminal organization. It has committed crimes across several countries, including the U.S., where it is implicated in violent incidents. In response to its activities, the Biden administration has designated it as a transnational criminal organization and a foreign terrorist organization.
The Tren de Aragua is a notorious Venezuelan gang that was established in a prison in 2014 and has since evolved into a multinational criminal organization, responsible for various heinous crimes across multiple countries, including the United States. Its foundation occurred within the confines of Tocorón prison, located in Aragua, Venezuela, where the gang operated extensive illicit enterprises, such as a zoo and nightclub, while commanding control over the facility.
As Venezuela faced a severe economic crisis, the Tren de Aragua expanded its operations internationally by recruiting members among the millions of Venezuelans who had fled. The organization initiated criminal activities in neighboring countries like Colombia, Peru, and Chile, engaging in drug trafficking, human smuggling, extortion, and prostitution.
One of the gang’s most infamous crimes involved the abduction and murder of Ronald Ojeda, a former Venezuelan army officer, in 2024. Ojeda, who had fled to Chile after opposing the government, was kidnapped by individuals impersonating police officers. His body was discovered later, underscoring the gang’s brutality and reach.
The United States has become a notable territory for the Tren de Aragua, with operations linked to a series of violent incidents, including the shooting of two police officers in New York and the murder of a former Venezuelan police officer in Florida. Members of this gang have been apprehended in several U.S. states, including Pennsylvania, New York, Texas, and California.
In response to their escalating activities, the Biden administration designated Tren de Aragua as a transnational criminal organization last year, and subsequently as a foreign terrorist organization in January, highlighting the international threat it poses.
In summary, the Tren de Aragua represents an evolving threat that began within Venezuelan prisons and has expanded globally, engaging in various criminal activities from drug trafficking to violent crimes. The gang’s ability to recruit members amid Venezuela’s ongoing crisis has facilitated its international reach, particularly in the United States, prompting significant government responses. The recent designations by U.S. authorities reflect the serious concerns regarding their operations.
Original Source: www.opb.org
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