It Could Happen Here What is Tren de Aragua and Why is Trump Obsessed With Them?
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Sep 23, 2025 Explore the rise of Tren de Aragua from its prison origins during Venezuela's crisis. Discover how the U.S. Coast Guard navigates drug smuggling and the complexities in fentanyl supply claims. The hosts debunk common myths about gang symbols and discuss the human impact of misinformation surrounding Venezuelan migrants. The conversation unpacks the intricate web of corruption while shedding light on the nuanced realities behind the headlines.
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Origins In Prison And Rail Labor
- Tren de Aragua began as labor-union organizing around a railway project and morphed into a criminal group centered on Tocoron prison.
- The group's prison-based organization turned the facility into a quasi-independent hub with payments and luxury areas.
Franchise-Style Organization
- Tren operates more like a franchise network with local affiliates than a tightly centralized cartel.
- That decentralization means claims of a unified global hierarchy are often exaggerated.
Reporter’s Encounter With Venezuelan Crime
- James Stout described personal exposure to armed crime while reporting in Venezuela, including being robbed at gunpoint.
- He noticed Tren de Aragua's prominence emerge around 2020 amid broader Venezuelan collapse.
