Tren de Aragua: A Violent Transnational Threat Escalating in the U.S. and Beyond
Executive Summary
The Venezuelan prison gang Tren de Aragua (TdA) is expanding its operations across the United States and Latin America, intensifying concerns over violent crimes, human trafficking, and its alliances with Mexican cartels. With an established presence in over 20 U.S. states, the gang preys on vulnerable migrant communities while destabilizing regions across the Americas. This expansion has drawn the attention of law enforcement, policymakers, and international organizations, sparking efforts to curb its growing influence and criminal activities.
Analysis
Origins and Growth of Tren de Aragua
Emerging from the infamous Tocorón prison in Venezuela, the TdA has evolved into a formidable transnational criminal organization. Initially operating within Venezuela’s prison system under state-supported "pranato" governance, the gang capitalized on systemic corruption and weak enforcement to expand throughout Latin America. With a base of operations in countries like Chile, Peru, and Colombia, the gang has leveraged Venezuelan migration flows to infiltrate other nations, including the United States.
In the U.S., TdA activities have been documented in major cities and rural areas alike, with a heavy presence in states such as Illinois, Texas, Florida, and New York. Their criminal enterprises include human trafficking, forced prostitution, extortion, and drug smuggling, often targeting their own migrant communities.
Presence in the United States
The gang's U.S. expansion is linked to immigration surges, particularly among Venezuelan nationals fleeing economic and political crises. Between 2021 and 2024, arrests of Venezuelan nationals in Chicago skyrocketed by over 2,500%, with many linked to TdA operations. Similarly, in Texas, Governor Greg Abbott designated the gang a Tier 1 threat and a foreign terrorist organization in September 2024, citing its role in human smuggling, extortion, and other violent crimes.
Notable incidents include:
Illinois: Chicago law enforcement has tied TdA to human trafficking and drug operations, with over 30 documented arrests of gang members.
Indiana: Indianapolis authorities dismantled a sex trafficking ring tied to TdA members.
Tennessee: A high-ranking TdA fugitive, Luis Alejandro Ruiz Godoy, was arrested through INTERPOL coordination, demonstrating the gang’s national and international reach.
Transnational Alliances and Operations
The TdA has established partnerships with Mexican cartels, including the Sinaloa cartel, to facilitate human trafficking routes through Central America into the U.S. These alliances amplify the gang's influence and operational capacity, allowing it to extend its reach while embedding itself in local criminal ecosystems.
In addition, the gang’s brutal tactics—ranging from dismemberment to public executions—serve as a means to enforce control and intimidate rivals, a strategy reminiscent of Central American gangs like MS-13.
Global and Regional Implications
The gang’s operations are destabilizing economies and communities beyond the U.S. border. For instance, its infiltration of Red Sea shipping and other critical trade routes has impacted countries like Egypt, contributing to a 60% drop in Suez Canal revenues. Such disruptions compound economic and political crises in affected nations, while simultaneously emboldening the gang's dominance in smuggling and illicit trade.
Countermeasures and Challenges
Efforts to combat the TdA include sanctions, designations as a transnational criminal organization, and coordinated law enforcement operations. In July 2024, the U.S. Treasury Department sanctioned the gang under Executive Order 13581, freezing assets and blocking its financial operations. Similarly, INTERPOL’s collaboration with U.S. authorities has facilitated high-profile arrests.
Despite these efforts, significant challenges remain:
Border Policies: Weak vetting processes and open-border policies have facilitated the gang’s entry into the U.S.
State Sponsorship: The Maduro regime in Venezuela offers implicit support to the gang, leveraging its activities as a form of asymmetric warfare.
Operational Complexity: The TdA’s decentralized structure and ability to adapt to local conditions complicate enforcement efforts.
