Dangerous, scary and fugitive. Hector Guerrero Flores (featured image)known by the codename Niño Guerrero, has been identified as the founder and supreme leader of the Venezuelan criminal faction Tren de Aragua.
Despite having an extensive criminal record, including brutal murders, trafficking and other crimes, he is free. This is because in 2018 he escaped from Tocoron prison during a massive operation. He had left the place unnoticed while traveling in the underground tunnels.
Hector Guerrero, who was sentenced to 17 years in prison for his countless crimes, allegedly created the criminal group in 2012, while he was imprisoned in Tocoron.
faction
Once established, the Tren de Aragua grew exponentially and transcended Venezuela’s borders. The group, which initially expanded within the country of origin, gained strength through alliances with smaller gangs and began operating abroad in 2018.
The Tren de Aragua has become transnational. Between 2018 and 2023, the group strengthened itself in other countries, establishing cells in Colombia, Peru and Chile, with additional reports of an intermittent presence in Ecuador, Bolivia and Brazil.
There are currently indications that the group is already operating in Panama and Mexico, in addition to its modest presence in cities in Spain and the USA.
Extreme violence
In the process of expansion, the group has also expanded the scope of its criminal activities, including, in addition to drug and arms trafficking, extortion, kidnapping, human trafficking for sexual exploitation, migrant smuggling, smuggling, illegal mining, cybercrime and robbery.
The documents indicate that the organization’s modus operandi is characterized above all by occupying territories and punishing enemies or anyone who violates the rules dictated by the leaders of the criminal nucleus. The main punishments include killing and dismemberment, as the Brazilian factions are widely known to do.
“Terrorists”
In the document, the United States designated Tren de Aragua a foreign terrorist organization.
“The Trump Administration will not allow Tren de Aragua to continue to terrorize our communities and harm innocent Americans,” said Treasury Secretary Scott Besent. “Consistent with President Trump’s mandate to Make America Safe Again, the Treasury Department remains committed to dismantling Tren de Aragua and stopping the group’s campaign of violence.”