As Tren de Aragua's Presence in the U.S. Increases, Here is Where They Are Confirmed to Operate

Recent reports suggest the potential expansion of the Venezuelan-born criminal organization, Tren de Aragua, into the United States. The group's presence has garnered significant attention in the political and media landscape, particularly as the U.S. presidential election approaches, with both political parties addressing concerns about crime and immigration. In fact, former President Donald Trump mentioned the gang in the presidential debate in September, falsely claiming its members had taken over apartment complexes in Aurora, Colorado.

Tren de Aragua, which evolved from a prison gang into a transnational criminal network over the past years, has taken advantage of large-scale Venezuelan migration since 2018 to extend its reach across South America, establishing footholds in Colombia, Peru, and Chile. Now, there are growing signs of their presence in different parts of the United States.

U.S. authorities have reportedly identified suspected members of the gang across the country and made several arrests. However, while the group's notoriety continues to grow, its actual footprint in the U.S. remains difficult to quantify, according to a report by specialized outlet InSight Crime.

Tren de Aragua members are not easily identifiable. Unlike some gangs, they do not consistently use tattoos or other distinctive markings to signal affiliation. Although law enforcement officials in various countries have linked certain tattoos—such as rifles or Michael Jordan logos—to the gang, members do not consistently use tattoos as a form of identification.

The lack of cooperation between U.S. and Venezuelan authorities further complicates efforts to vet suspected gang members entering the U.S., leaving border agents with limited resources to verify individuals' backgrounds.

In recent months, reports of alleged Tren de Aragua activity have emerged in at least ten U.S. states, including Texas, Colorado, New York, and Illinois. In Aurora, Colorado, police have identified several individuals as "documented Tren de Aragua members," though details of their affiliation remain unclear.

In Texas, Governor Abbott stated that many of the more than 20 individuals arrested at a hotel in El Paso in early September were suspected members, and that over 100 suspected members were arrested during a disturbance at the El Paso border in March. Both Texas and Colorado have created task forces to address the gang's potential activities.

The nature of the crimes linked to alleged members of Tren de Aragua in the U.S. varies. While the gang is internationally known for human trafficking and smuggling, some of the U.S. cases have involved lesser crimes, such as robbery and burglary. These offenses are less associated with the gang's operations in South America. There has been little evidence to suggest that cells in the U.S. are coordinating with one another or receiving direct orders from the gang's leadership. No substantial proof has been provided indicating that the group's U.S.-based operations are financially linked to its leadership in Venezuela, the report concluded.