Unveiling the Shadow: Inside the Gripping Saga of Tren de Aragua, the Transnational Criminal Force Now Lurking in the Heart of America.
Authorities both local and federal have identified a disturbing trend linking violent incidents nationwide to a single source: Tren de Aragua, a transnational criminal syndicate born within the confines of a Venezuelan prison. Over time, this group has expanded its reach both southward and northward, now reportedly active within the United States. While the full scale of their operations remains elusive, the crimes attributed to purported members of this gang have raised concerns among elected officials. Some Republican lawmakers have called on the Biden administration to formally recognize Tren de Aragua as a Transnational Criminal Organization.
For years, Tren de Aragua has sown chaos throughout South America, beginning in its birthplace of Venezuela and spreading its influence into Bolivia, Colombia, Chile, and Peru. According to retired General Óscar Naranjo, a former vice president of Colombia and head of the Colombian National Police, Tren de Aragua represents the most significant criminal threat currently faced by Latin America.
The genesis of Tren de Aragua traces back to the period between 2013 and 2015, though its roots delve deeper into the past, emerging from worker unions involved in a railway project spanning Aragua and Carabobo states in Venezuela. Operating from within the notorious Tocorón prison, the gang's leadership held sway over its domain. A raid by Venezuelan authorities in September uncovered not only weaponry but also amenities like a swimming pool and restaurants within the prison walls.
By 2015, the group had solidified its presence, forging alliances such as the one with Brazil's Primeiro Comando da Capital. This partnership signaled an expansion that would soon grip South America in its grasp.
In Colombia, Tren de Aragua, alongside the National Liberation Army, has been implicated in sex trafficking networks operating along the border, exploiting vulnerable populations for profit. Reports indicate widespread victimization through extortion, drug trafficking, kidnapping, and murder.
Now, the gang's influence has reached U.S. soil, with both Customs and Border Protection and the FBI confirming its presence. Following migration paths across South America, Tren de Aragua has established criminal networks along its route, extending its operations into the United States.
Jason Owens, chief of the US Border Patrol, issued a stark warning in April, highlighting the gang's notoriety for violent acts including murder, drug trafficking, and extortion. Law enforcement agencies have documented over 70 cases involving Tren de Aragua, with 58 identified as gang members by Texas Customs and Border Patrol.
The gang's activities in the United States have already manifested in various crimes, including a recent incident in New York where Bernardo Raul Castro-Mata, believed to be associated with Tren de Aragua, allegedly shot two police officers. Additionally, cases of sex trafficking linked to the gang have been reported, with suspects apprehended in Louisiana, Texas, Virginia, New Jersey, and Florida.
The challenge for law enforcement lies in gauging the extent of Tren de Aragua's presence in the country. Venezuelan immigrants in states like Florida have reported witnessing familiar criminal activities reminiscent of those they fled from in their home country.
Former Venezuelan police officer Álvaro Boza, now residing in Florida, recounts the gang's unchecked power, which led him to flee Venezuela. His testimony underscores the urgent need for action.
In March, a group of Republican lawmakers led by Senator Marco Rubio and Representative Ana María Salazar called on President Biden to designate Tren de Aragua as a transnational criminal organization. They warned of the potential for widespread devastation if the gang's activities are left unchecked, drawing parallels to the havoc it has already wrought across Central and South America.
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