The Aragua Train: from a Venezuelan prison to a continental threat.

What began as a prison gang in Venezuela has evolved into one of the most dangerous criminal organizations in Latin America. The Aragua Train, known for activities such as drug trafficking, extortion, homicides and human trafficking, now operates in at least eight countries across the continent, from South America to North America.

A criminal giant born in Venezuela.

Founded in 2005 inside the Tocorón prison in the state of Aragua, this gang takes its name from a labor union that operated in the construction of a railroad project in the central region of the country. This union was known for extorting contractors and assigning jobs in exchange for money, which marked the beginning of the group’s illicit activities.

Under the leadership of Hector Rustherford Guerrero Flores, alias “Niño Guerrero,” the gang expanded its dominance in Venezuela, extending to 12 states, according to Transparencia Venezuela. From his prison cell, Guerrero consolidated alliances with other criminal groups, fueling the organization’s growth.

Expansion into Latin America

Taking advantage of migration routes, the Aragua Train has spread to countries such as Colombia, Peru, Chile, Ecuador, Bolivia, Brazil and Costa Rica. In many cases, it acts as an intermediary for criminal services, such as contract killings and drug transportation. Its operations are concentrated in clandestine border points and cities with large Venezuelan migrant communities, such as Bogota, Lima and Santiago.

Recent achievements against this organization include key captures, such as that of Jeison Alexander Lorca Salazar, the alleged second in command, arrested in Colombia.

Presence in North America.

In Mexico, the organization collaborates with local cartels in the smuggling of migrants, especially in strategic areas such as Ciudad Juarez, a key stop for those seeking to cross into the United States.

In the United States, authorities have identified members of the Aragua Train in cities such as New York, Chicago, Miami and Denver. As of November 2023, 41 alleged members had been arrested after crossing the border, many of them mixed in with migrant groups. The gang has been linked to cases of sex trafficking, extortion and homicides.

A challenge for regional security.

Experts say the Aragua Train represents one of the biggest criminal threats in recent years in the region. Its ability to infiltrate different countries and adapt to different criminal dynamics poses a significant challenge for local and international authorities. According to former US Department of Homeland Security agent Aristides Jimenez, the expansion of this organization could mark a turning point in the organized crime landscape in the Americas.