- The Mexican official referred to the newspaper reports Millenniumin which the alleged criminal activities of the criminal gang in that territory were discussed | Photo: EFE
On Friday, October 25, the Mexican government denied press reports that the transnational criminal group of Venezuelan origin Tren de Aragua is a major generator of violence in the country.
“We have had arrests of several criminal groups from Venezuela, from South America, however, we do not have this group registered as the main generator of violence,” the Secretary of Security and Citizen Protection, Omar García Harfuch, responded to a specific question in the daily conference. of the mexican government.
His statements come after the Mexican newspaper Millennium published reports in recent days, in which they claim that the Aragua Train has at least 90 foreign sex workers in Mexico City and that they are already fighting with local cartels over human trafficking on the border with the United States.
The media quotes Landon Hutchens, an official from the United States Customs and Border Protection (CBP), who states that the Aragua Train “is a new group” on the border.
The Secretary of Security of Mexico did not make any further statements on the matter.
The Aragua Train, which was born in the prisons of Venezuela, has spread to several Latin American countries such as Colombia, Peru, Bolivia and Chile, where authorities accuse it of committing numerous crimes including drug trafficking, extortion, kidnappings and homicides.
The United States identified at least 100 members of the Aragua Train in that country
The United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS) would have identified at least 100 migrants as confirmed members of the Aragua Train in its territory.
According to the NBC news network, the DHS would have identified around 600 “subjects of interest” related to the criminal gang of Venezuelan origin. Approximately 500 of them would be victims, witnesses or possible members of the gang.
DHS data indicates that this criminal group has a presence in 15 states in the United States. The department recommended placing the confirmed members on Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) watch lists.
The NBC network assured that the Department of Homeland Security began collecting data on the Tren de Aragua criminal gang in spring, due to the increase in crimes committed by alleged members of the group in New York and other cities in the United States.
Likewise, since 2022, US authorities have arrested approximately 100 people suspected of being associated with the Aragua Train. More than 20 of these detainees have been referred to federal proceedings.
“DHS has an ongoing operation to crack down on gang members by screening certain previously encountered individuals, in addition to rigorous screening and verification at the border,” a DHS spokesperson told NBC.
The official indicated that Venezuela does not share its criminal record with the United States authorities, which makes it difficult for immigration entities to identify each possible member of the gang that enters US territory.
With information from EFE
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Interview with Security Expert: Recent Developments Regarding Tren de Aragua
Interviewer: Thank you for joining us today, Dr. Maria Lopez, a security analyst specializing in transnational crime. We wanted to discuss the recent statements made by the Mexican government concerning the Tren de Aragua. What are your thoughts on the government’s denial that this Venezuelan criminal group is a significant generator of violence in Mexico?
Dr. Lopez: Thank you for having me. It’s quite interesting that the Secretary of Security and Citizen Protection, Omar García Harfuch, chose to downplay the involvement of Tren de Aragua. His acknowledgment of arrests of several Venezuelan criminal groups suggests there is some presence, yet not necessarily a dominant one.
Interviewer: The newspaper Millennium reported that Tren de Aragua has at least 90 foreign sex workers operating in Mexico City and has begun competing with local cartels over human trafficking. How do these claims impact perceptions of the group’s influence?
Dr. Lopez: These claims raise significant concerns. If true, it indicates that Tren de Aragua is establishing operations in major urban centers, which could shift the dynamics of organized crime in Mexico. Competing for control over human trafficking routes is a violent and dangerous business, suggesting that their presence could indeed lead to increased violence over time, despite the government’s denial.
Interviewer: Recently, the United States identified at least 100 confirmed members of Tren de Aragua within its borders. How does this cross-border presence affect efforts to combat organized crime in the region?
Dr. Lopez: The cross-border aspect complicates the situation significantly. With such a presence in the U.S., there needs to be better cooperation between U.S. and Mexican authorities. Effective intelligence sharing and coordinated actions are imperative to dismantle these networks. If Tren de Aragua is recognized as a threat in the U.S., it will escalate pressure on Mexico to take decisive action.
Interviewer: Given that Tren de Aragua originated in Venezuelan prisons and has spread across several Latin American countries, do you think this group poses a long-term organized crime threat in the region?
Dr. Lopez: Absolutely. The expansion of Tren de Aragua into various countries shows their adaptability and desire to become a transnational organization. Their history of diverse criminal activities—from drug trafficking to extortion—hints at their capability to evolve. If left unchecked, they could indeed pose a serious long-term threat to regional security and stability.
Interviewer: Thank you, Dr. Lopez, for your insights on Tren de Aragua and its implications for both Mexico and the United States.
Dr. Lopez: Thank you for having me. It’s important we continue to monitor this situation closely.
Interview with Security Expert: Recent Developments Regarding Tren de Aragua
Interviewer: Thank you for joining us today, Dr. Maria Lopez, a security analyst specializing in transnational crime. We wanted to discuss the recent statements made by the Mexican government concerning Tren de Aragua. What are your thoughts on the government’s denial that this Venezuelan criminal group is a significant generator of violence in Mexico?
Dr. Lopez: Thank you for having me. It’s quite interesting that the Secretary of Security and Citizen Protection, Omar García Harfuch, chose to downplay the involvement of Tren de Aragua. His acknowledgment of arrests of several Venezuelan criminal groups suggests some presence exists, yet he claims they are not dominant. This could imply an effort to project control over the narrative regarding organized crime.
Interviewer: The newspaper Millennium reported that Tren de Aragua has at least 90 foreign sex workers operating in Mexico City and has begun competing with local cartels over human trafficking. How do these claims impact perceptions of the group’s influence?
Dr. Lopez: These claims raise significant concerns. If true, it indicates that Tren de Aragua is establishing operations in major urban centers, which could shift the dynamics of organized crime in Mexico. Competing for control over human trafficking routes is a violent and dangerous business; this suggests that their presence could indeed lead to increased violence as they vie for dominance with local cartels.
Interviewer: The U.S. Customs and Border Protection has stated that Aragua Train is a new group on the border. What does this signify for the broader context of criminal organizations operating in North America?
Dr. Lopez: The emergence of Tren de Aragua in the U.S. is alarming. It demonstrates the transnational reach of organized crime today, not just limited to drug trafficking but expanding into human trafficking and other illicit activities. The fact that the U.S. has identified over 100 confirmed members in its territory underscores the urgency for collaborative law enforcement efforts between countries to combat such evolving threats.
Interviewer: Given these developments, what measures should authorities take moving forward?
Dr. Lopez: Authorities need to enhance intelligence sharing and cooperation between countries, especially in the Americas, to tackle groups like Tren de Aragua more effectively. This involves not just law enforcement action but also addressing the root causes of migration and crime in regions affected by such gangs. Preventive measures will be crucial alongside any reactive strategies.
Interviewer: Thank you, Dr. Lopez, for your insights.
Dr. Lopez: Thank you for having me. It’s a pressing issue that requires all our attention.
