On Point | Podcast What is Tren de Aragua? The criminal organization's origins, activities and reach within the U.S.
May 13, 2025
In this discussion, Rebecca Hansen, an Assistant Professor and expert on Venezuelan crime and policing, sheds light on the dark evolution of the Tren de Aragua gang. She reveals how it originated in Venezuelan prisons and has now infiltrated the U.S. Hansen highlights the gang's violent tactics and its implications for U.S. immigration policy, particularly in the context of the 2024 elections. The podcast also addresses the complexities of combating transnational crime and the challenges posed by the intricate relationship between gangs and government.
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Tren de Aragua's Origins
- Tren de Aragua formed in Venezuela's overcrowded Tocoron prison amidst mass incarceration and ineffective policing.
- The gang is more organized than previous Venezuelan gangs but unlike Mexican or Colombian cartels.
Government-Gang Pacts Explained
- Venezuelan government under Maduro entered fragile pacts with gangs allowing them to control territories.
- These pacts helped organizations like Tren de Aragua consolidate power without true government collaboration.
Prison Life Under Gang Control
- Overcrowded prisons like Tocoron allowed gangs to run internal social and economic activities, including discos and parties.
- Tren de Aragua’s early economy was locally based on extortion and events within and near the prison.