Few criminal organizations in history have metastasized as quickly and ruthlessly as Tren de Aragua. What began as a prison gang in Venezuela has transformed into a transnational criminal empire, sowing terror across Latin America and, now, within the borders of the United States. Under the reckless policies of Joe Biden and Kamala Harris, thousands of these criminals infiltrated the U.S., bringing with them violence, human trafficking, drug smuggling, and a wave of organized crime. Now, as Donald Trump serves his second term, his administration is waging an all-out war to dismantle this gang, deport its members, and restore law and order.
Origins: A Gang Born in Chaos
Tren de Aragua traces its roots to the late 2000s in Venezuela. Originally, it was a group of prison inmates who organized inside the Tocorón penitentiary, one of the most notorious gang-run prisons in the world. Their leader, Héctor “Niño” Guerrero, turned the gang into a highly structured criminal operation, using the prison as a base to orchestrate extortion, kidnappings, and drug trafficking.
The socialist dictatorship of Nicolás Maduro, unable (or unwilling) to control its prisons, allowed Tren de Aragua to grow into a parallel state within Venezuela. Rather than cracking down, the regime allowed them to flourish, using them as enforcers when necessary. By 2018, the gang had moved beyond prison walls, spreading its reach into Venezuela’s streets and eventually beyond its borders.
Maduro’s Role: Venezuela’s Criminal Export
There is growing evidence that Nicolás Maduro actively encouraged Tren de Aragua’s expansion beyond Venezuela. With a crumbling economy and millions fleeing the country, the Venezuelan regime saw an opportunity: emptying its prisons and exporting its most dangerous criminals under the guise of mass migration. Similar to Fidel Castro’s infamous Mariel boatlift in 1980, Maduro’s regime facilitated the exodus of criminals to neighboring countries—and eventually to the United States.
U.S. intelligence sources indicate that as Venezuelans flooded across borders seeking refuge, embedded within them were thousands of Tren de Aragua operatives. They infiltrated Colombia, Peru, Ecuador, Brazil, and Chile, taking over human smuggling routes, controlling drug corridors, and even committing politically motivated assassinations. By 2022, they had become the dominant criminal force in much of South America, outcompeting traditional cartels in brutality and efficiency.
Tren de Aragua in America: A Disaster Unleashed
The gang’s arrival in the United States coincided with Joe Biden’s disastrous open-border policies. Between 2021 and 2024, under Biden and Harris, more than 8 million migrants crossed into the U.S., among them hardened criminals from Tren de Aragua. Cities like New York, Chicago, and Miami saw an explosion in gang-related crimes, from extortion to drug trafficking and sex slavery.
The FBI and Homeland Security began tracking Tren de Aragua’s influence in early 2023, linking them to murders, retail theft rings, and organized shoplifting operations. In New York, the gang was implicated in forced prostitution rings operating out of migrant shelters. In Colorado, surveillance footage of heavily armed Tren de Aragua members attempting to invade an apartment complex went viral, sparking outrage. In Texas, the gang was caught smuggling firearms into Colombia, further fueling international criminal enterprises.
Yet, despite these clear threats, the Biden administration downplayed the problem, prioritizing so-called “humane” immigration policies over national security. Even as authorities arrested members in Queens, Aurora, and Miami, the White House refused to acknowledge the severity of the crisis.
The Trump Administration’s Crackdown
Donald Trump’s 2024 re-election campaign centered on one major promise: restoring law and order. On his first day back in office, he signed an executive order designating Tren de Aragua as a Foreign Terrorist Organization. This move allowed federal agencies to pursue gang members under anti-terrorism laws, significantly expanding the tools available to law enforcement.
Under Trump’s leadership:
- The FBI, ICE, and DEA have launched coordinated raids, arresting hundreds of Tren de Aragua members across multiple states.
- Deportation efforts have been prioritized, with gang members being fast-tracked for removal.
- The National Guard has been deployed to reinforce border security and prevent further infiltration.
- A $12 million bounty has been placed on the head of “Niño Guerrero” and other high-ranking gang leaders.
In January 2025 alone, eight gang members were arrested in Queens, with over 30 firearms seized. Operation Train Derail in New York resulted in the indictment of ten gang operatives attempting to traffic weapons. In Colorado, federal agents stormed an apartment complex, leading to the arrest of a high-profile Tren de Aragua enforcer.
The Global Implications
Tren de Aragua is more than a gang; it is a global menace. Their operations extend beyond mere street crime—this is a sophisticated criminal network that engages in human trafficking, illegal mining, and international drug smuggling. They have formed alliances with Brazilian and Mexican cartels, strengthening their position in the underworld.
Trump’s administration has called for an international coalition to eradicate the gang, working with Latin American allies to hunt down operatives and dismantle their operations. In Colombia, joint U.S.-Colombian task forces have already targeted their strongholds. In Peru, mass arrests have weakened their influence. Chile has extradited top leaders to the United States.
The Future: Will America Win?
The war against Tren de Aragua is far from over. The gang is deeply embedded in the criminal underworld, and their transnational network makes them difficult to uproot. However, with Trump at the helm, America is finally taking decisive action to dismantle this organization and restore safety to its streets.
The hard truth is that Biden and Harris allowed this disaster to unfold. Their open-border policies facilitated the entry of these violent criminals. Their negligence cost American lives. Now, Trump is cleaning up the mess, proving once again that strength—not weakness—is what keeps this nation safe.
The fight against Tren de Aragua is a battle for America’s future. And under President Trump, it is a battle we intend to win.
