**Understanding Tren de Aragua: The Venezuelan Gang on Trump's Radar**

This article explores the emergence, expansion, and current threat posed by Tren de Aragua, alongside U.S. government responses.

In September 2023, Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro ordered an unprecedented military incursion into Tocorón Prison, unleashing 11,000 soldiers to reclaim control from the notorious Tren de Aragua gang. Rather than responding to a violent uprising, these troops confronted a criminal enterprise transformed into a lavish prison resort featuring a zoo, nightclubs, and even swimming pools. Yet, the infamous gang leader Hector Guerrero Flores managed to escape amidst the chaos.

Tren de Aragua, described by the U.S. State Department as a "transnational criminal organization," is now under intense scrutiny as it becomes a focal point in then-President Donald Trump's initiative against foreign criminals. Promising mass deportations of undocumented immigrants, Trump has targeted this gang—offering a $5 million reward for information leading to Guerrero Flores's capture.

Initially a prison faction, Tren de Aragua evolved dramatically under Guerrero's leadership, engaging in diverse illicit activities including drug trafficking, human smuggling, and violence. The group's reach has extended into neighboring countries like Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, and Chile, raising alarms about its operational capacity. Luis Izquiel, a criminologist, posits that the gang's name derives from a railway workers' union known for its criminal practices, highlighting its roots in organized crime.

Current estimates of the gang's membership range from 2,500 to 5,000, with an annual profit projection between $10 million and $15 million, according to journalist Ronna Rísquez. Though smaller than other Latin American gangs, Tren de Aragua has entered the global criminal landscape, compared to the notorious MS-13 for its brutality. Alleged members have committed several high-profile crimes, including the kidnapping and murder of a Venezuelan opposition military officer in Chile.

As security threats escalate, Trump accused Tren de Aragua of instigating "irregular warfare" against the U.S., a claim supported by increasing arrests of individuals linked to the gang across various states since early 2023. Reports indicate that up to 600 Venezuelan migrants in the U.S. have potential connections to the gang. With Customs and Border Protection noting around 313,500 Venezuelan migrants encountered at the border in 2024, the implications of Tren de Aragua's activities continue to garner national concern.

The U.S. Treasury had already sanctioned the group last summer, stressing its involvement in human trafficking and further complicating the situation for thousands of Venezuelans seeking refuge. As convoluted as the gang's growth and network may be, its potential risk to the U.S. will remain at the forefront of policy discussions as authorities seek to manage and mitigate the threats posed by foreign criminal organizations.