Understanding Tren de Aragua: The Venezuelan Gang Targeted by Trump

Tren de Aragua, a notorious gang originating from Venezuela, has transformed from a prison entity into a transnational criminal organization involved in various illicit activities across Latin America and the U.S. The gang's expansion and operations have caught the attention of the U.S. government, prompting calls for action against its members.

In September 2023, an unexpected military operation unfolded in Venezuela as President Nicolas Maduro deployed 11,000 soldiers to storm the Tocorón Prison, seizing control from a powerful gang known as Tren de Aragua. Rather than quelling a riot, the troops aimed to reclaim the facility, which had been turned into an extravagant complex featuring a zoo, restaurants, a nightclub, a betting shop, and even a swimming pool. However, amid the chaos, the gang's leader, Hector Guerrero Flores, managed to escape.

Tren de Aragua, described by the U.S. State Department as a "transnational criminal organization," has now become a focal point in former President Donald Trump's ongoing efforts to eradicate foreign criminals in the U.S., as part of his commitment to conduct mass deportations of illegal immigrants. Offering a $5 million reward for information leading to Guerrero Flores's capture, the U.S. government aims to dismantle the gang's influential network.

Originally formed as a prison gang, Tren de Aragua has evolved under the leadership of 41-year-old Guerrero Flores. His escape in 2012 allowed him to make significant changes to the prison system, and upon being rearrested in 2013, he saw an opportunity to turn Tocorón into a leisure space. This marked the beginning of a far-reaching influence, extending well beyond prison walls as the gang overpowered gold mines, seized control of drug trafficking routes along the Caribbean, and initiated illegal border crossings between Venezuela and Colombia. Its name, commonly translated to "Train of Aragua," has roots tied to a railroad workers' union that historically extorted contractors for work opportunities.

With the dire economic and humanitarian crises commencing in 2014, trenches spread across borders into Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, and Chile, diversifying its operations to include sex trafficking, murder for hire, and kidnapping. While estimates of its membership vary, some sources suggest around 5,000 members and annual earnings between $10 million to $15 million. Despite being smaller and potentially less affluent than some of its counterparts, Tren de Aragua's brutality has drawn parallels to the notorious MS-13 gang from El Salvador.

Recent cases tied to Tren de Aragua include chilling incidents such as the kidnapping of Venezuelan opposition military officer Ronald Ojeda in Chile. U.S. Treasury actions last summer highlighted the gang's suspected involvement in sex trafficking along the U.S. border, leading to a more heightened awareness of its threats.

In a declaration invoking the 18th Century Alien Enemies Act, Trump accused Tren de Aragua of conducting "irregular warfare" against the U.S. under Maduro's leadership. He also labeled the gang as a foreign terrorist organization, similar to extremist groups like ISIS and Boko Haram. This designation has led to numerous arrests of alleged members in states like Texas, Florida, New York, and Illinois, with specific charges ranging from murder to kidnapping. Estimates suggest that around 600 Venezuelan migrants currently residing in the U.S. have ties to the gang, with 100 believed to be active members. As of now, the situation of Florida's growing Venezuelan population, currently around 770,000, and near the border's influx of 313,500 migrants in 2024, remains crucial in the ongoing battle against this violent criminal organization.