In recent months, the names of two criminal organizations originating from Venezuela have made headlines after entering the radar of the United States of America. The Tren de Aragua and the Cartel de los Soles became the target of attacks promoted by the North American government.
There is debate about what these groups are and how they were founded. Therefore, the column has compiled information that explains what each organization is.
Aragua train
The faction was founded in 2012 by criminals imprisoned in Venezuela’s Tocorón prison, and is known for its violent actions, leaving trails of blood wherever it goes.
The documents indicate that the method of action is characterized by occupying lands and punishing enemies or anyone who violates the rules imposed by the leaders. The main punishments include killing and dismemberment, as occurs in Brazilian factions.
A few years after its emergence, the group has consolidated itself as the largest in the country, crossing borders and establishing partnerships with South American countries.
“Leader”
Hector Guerrero Flores, known as Nino Guerrero, was appointed as the supreme leader of the organization.
He has an extensive criminal record, having been sentenced to 17 years in prison for multiple murders, trafficking and other crimes.
In 2018, Guerrero escaped from Tocoron prison during a massive operation. He had left the place unnoticed while traveling in the underground tunnels.
The documents also mention co-founders, such as Johan José Romero, “Johan Petrica”, who appears alongside Guerrero in various records associated with the Tren de Aragua.
Romero is accused of promoting “illegal mining” and providing access to military weapons.
In July this year, the US Treasury Department imposed sanctions on the criminals and their other accomplices.
In addition to the two, the following were punished:
• José Ángel Santana Peña, “Santanita,” allegedly involved in murders, extortion, bombings, terrorism and robbery; • Wilmer Jose Pérez Castillo, accused of killing members of the security forces. • Wendy Marbeles Ríos Gomez, wife of Nino Guerrero; • Felix Aner Castillo Rondon, “Pure Arnel.”
“Terrorists”
In the document, the United States designated Tren de Aragua a “foreign terrorist organization.”
“The U.S. government will not allow Tren de Aragua to continue to terrorize our communities and harm innocent Americans,” said Treasury Secretary Scott Picente. “Consistent with the President’s mandate to protect national security, the Treasury Department remains committed to dismantling the group and stopping its campaign of violence.”
Underground cartel
The Cartel de los Soles has been identified as an alleged Venezuelan criminal and terrorist organization led by high-ranking members of the armed forces involved in international drug trafficking.
It is called “presumed” because there is no official information about its creation. The most widespread thesis is that put forward by the North American government.
Based on these theories, this cartel could have emerged with Hugo Chavez coming to power in 1999. Today, the United States accuses Nicolas Maduro of leading this cartel.
For North America, the Cartel de los Soles works with Tren de Aragua to send drugs into the United States.
The Venezuelan Foreign Ministry rejects the classification “categorically, categorically and absolutely,” and classifies it as “a new and ridiculous lie.”
Last Monday (11/24), the cartel was officially designated by the US State Department as a “foreign terrorist organization.”
After obtaining this classification, there became a legal basis for criminalizing any support for the group and even the use of military force against it.
In light of this, the Venezuelan Minister of Interior and Justice accused the American authorities of using the measure as a pretext to target opponents.
“Whenever someone bothers them, they call him the boss of the Cartel de los Soles,” Cabello said in August this year.