Aragua Train Criminal Gang in the United States: Transnational Threat
The Aragua Train criminal gang in the United States continues to generate serious concerns, as evidenced by an OFAC sanction.
Joe Biden’s administration on Thursday designated the dangerous Aragua Train criminal gang in the United States as a major transnational criminal organization, according to a Treasury Department statement.
A senior government official who had previously spoken to CNN described the gang as an “emerging threat”.
The Aragua Train criminal gang in the United States, which originated in Venezuela, has made massive inroads into the United States, taking advantage of the migration of thousands of Venezuelans.
The Aragua Train, a transnational criminal gang that emerged from a Venezuelan prison and has slowly made its way south and north in recent years, is raising alarm among US authorities.
Under Secretary for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence, Brian Nelson, spoke out about the criminal gang the Aragua Train in the United States, Brian Nelson.
“Today’s designation reflects the growing threat Tren de Aragua poses to U.S. communities. We will use all available tools and authorities against organizations that prey on vulnerable populations to generate revenue and abuse the U.S. financial system,” he said.
Aragua Train Criminal Gang in the United States
The Aragua Train adopted its name between 2013 and 2015, but began operating years earlier, according to a report by Transparencia Venezuela.
For several years, the criminal group has terrorized South American countries, including Venezuela, as well as Bolivia, Colombia, Chile and Peru, and gradually made its way to the United States.
The Aragua Train criminal gang in the United States has grown dangerously.
“We already have proof that they crossed the border and we were able to confirm this through interviews with gang members after the crossing. They are crossing and there is a presence,” FBI Assistant Special Agent in Charge of El Paso Britton Boyd told CNN earlier this year.
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In March, a group of lawmakers called on the U.S. government to designate the Aragua Train as a transnational criminal organization in order to deploy resources and sanctions to take down the group. The government reportedly took that step on Thursday.
The designation as a transnational criminal organization, which will take effect immediately, will allow the Treasury Department to isolate its members from the U.S. financial system.
“As we are seeing the movement of TDA members to the north, in particular, we believe it is critical to take steps to address this,” the senior administration official said, adding that law enforcement is also continuing to investigate and prosecute individuals associated with the gang. “This is an emerging threat that we have been focused on for some time, and we are trying to make sure that we stay on top of it and stay ahead of it,” the official added.
The US State Department, in coordination with the Justice Department, is also offering rewards totaling up to $12 million for information leading to the arrest and/or conviction of three leaders of the Tren de Aragua.
