Agent John Morales, the special agent in charge of the El Paso division in Texas, emphasized that Tren de Aragua, currently expanding its criminal activities through bold phone robberies in New York City, is a top priority for the FBI.
Morales expressed concerns about the gang forging partnerships with existing criminal networks and highlighted the agency's vigilance in monitoring Tren de Aragua's growth.
March 29, 2024
Recent reports by The Post unveiled how the Venezuelan gang, known for its violent criminal operations in South America, is replicating its illicit strategies in New York. The gang is reportedly recruiting individuals from migrant shelters to form cellphone robbery groups, leveraging its international connections to traffic stolen phones to Colombia for resale.
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In an exclusive interview with The Post, Agent Morales cautioned about the potential collaboration between Tren de Aragua, MS-13, and other criminal groups. He stated, "While these gangs wouldn't normally mix, it's always going to be a concern as the gang [Tren de Aragua] expands in strength and establishes a foothold." Morales further disclosed that the FBI is actively engaged in sharing intelligence regarding Tren de Aragua with law enforcement partners to impede its growth.
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Morales highlighted that gang members typically transit through border cities like El Paso before dispersing to other regions in the United States. Border Patrol records indicate the apprehension of 41 Tren de Aragua affiliates along the southern U.S. border between October 2022 and September 2023. The FBI is urging Venezuelan migrants to report gang activities, assuring anonymity through the FBI's 1-800-CALL-FBI hotline.
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The gang's initial targets are often fellow Venezuelans, as they coerce them into paying bribes for protection and assistance in crossing borders. Morales underscored that Tren de Aragua exploits the surge in Venezuelan migration to infiltrate the southern border, with over 340,000 encounters with Venezuelan migrants recorded last year, second only to encounters with Mexicans.
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Security consultant Robert Almonte cautioned about potential turf conflicts between gangs, stating, "They are already coming over as hardened criminals." Almonte suggested that while alliances with other gangs are plausible, turf wars are more likely as each group vies for control over criminal operations.
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Originating from a Venezuelan prison, Tren de Aragua has expanded its influence into Colombia, Peru, and Chile, where it is infamous for its brutal treatment of victims, particularly within the sex trade. The gang has also made incursions into Chicago and Miami, with recent criminal activities leading to the arrest of a member following the murder of a retired Venezuelan police officer in Miami.
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In Lima, Peru, Tren de Aragua orchestrated violent acts to dominate the sex trade, generating substantial profits. Last year, a Transnational Criminal Investigation Unit was established by U.S. Homeland Security and Peruvian law enforcement to exchange intelligence on Tren de Aragua.
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Law enforcement authorities suspect that the gang's leader, Hector Guerrero, evaded capture during a Venezuelan military operation and may be evading authorities in the U.S. Meanwhile, MS-13, originating among Salvadoran migrants in Los Angeles in the 1980s, maintains a significant presence with over 10,000 members and strong ties to Mexican drug cartels.
Known for its brutal tactics, MS-13 has been implicated in violent crimes in Queens and Long Island, including the 2017 murder of 16-year-old Julio Vasquez, who was brutally stabbed multiple times.
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