US President Donald Trump took decisive action against Tren de Aragua, a notorious Venezuelan gang involved in human trafficking on his first day in office. He signed an executive order calling for the group to be labeled a terrorist organization, setting the stage for future actions.

Crackdown in Peru Saves Victims

On February 7, a major operation was launched in Peru. With support from US ICE’s Homeland Security Investigations, over 300 Peruvian police officers raided several districts in Lima. As a result, 23 gang members were arrested. Additionally, 123 victims, including three minors, were rescued. Importantly, all the victims were women and girls, who had been trapped in horrific conditions.

Tren de Aragua’s Widespread Operations

Tren de Aragua initially formed in Venezuelan prisons in 2014. Since then, the gang has expanded its operations across South America, including in Colombia, Peru, Chile, and Brazil. They engage in illegal activities such as drug smuggling, extortion, and human trafficking. Notably, Peru has been a key battleground in efforts to dismantle the group. For instance, in January 2024, 40 young girls were rescued from the gang’s online exploitation network.

Ongoing US Efforts Against the Gang

Under Trump’s leadership, the US has increasingly focused on dismantling Tren de Aragua. In fact, just last week, 10 members of the gang were deported to Guantanamo Bay. Furthermore, on February 1, ICE arrested Luis Gualdron, a suspected gang member with a history of sexual harassment. These efforts highlight the US’s continued commitment to combating the gang and its criminal activities.