U.S. Strategy on Torren de Aragua Needed, Expert Proposes

Jose Gustavo Arocha, a national security specialist at the Center for Safe and Free Societies (SFS), emphasized the need for U.S. law enforcement to establish a unified national strategy to combat the Venezuelan terrorist group, Torren de Aragua.

He suggested that such a strategy should integrate the various strengths of agencies like DHS-HSI, FBI, DEA, and others under the oversight of the National Security Council. Perhaps a dedicated fusion center for the Torren de Aragua could help coordinate efforts.

A synchronized approach, he explained, would make better use of U.S. diplomatic, financial, intelligence, military, and law enforcement resources. This coordinated strategy could potentially weaken the Torren de Aragua network more effectively than the gang can recover.

Recently, SFS published a report titled “Weaponized Chaos: The Rise of Torren de Aragua as Venezuela’s Proxy Force, 2014-2025,” detailing the group’s developments. This report outlines how, over the years, Torren de Aragua evolved from local prison gangs to sophisticated transnational criminal organizations operating not just in the U.S. but also across at least 11 Latin American countries.

Alarmingly, the report labels Torren de Aragua as a “paramilitary arm” of the Venezuelan government, functioning within a “rebel archipelago” structure of semi-independent cells that can quickly regenerate after law enforcement interventions.

Arocha noted that while the U.S. has historically taken the lead in confronting hybrid threats, Torren de Aragua is now a significant challenge in the region. He suggested that the current piecemeal agency approach, although commendable, could benefit from a more unified effort.

A clear national strategy that recognizes Torren de Aragua as not just a criminal entity but a functioning arm of the Maduro regime would facilitate a more effective response, he continued.

The report reveals that Torren de Aragua transformed the Tocolon prison in Venezuela into its operational headquarters, aided by a “Pranath” system, a feudal gang structure, under lenient policies from dictator Nicolas Maduro. This has allowed gangs to convert prisons into fortified enclaves with facilities like nightclubs, zoos, and command centers.

This state-supported environment has enabled Torren de Aragua to professionalize and expand internationally, blurring the lines between organized crime and politically motivated activities by 2021, the report stated.

Arocha pointed out that Torren de Aragua has infiltrated prisons in Brazil, Peru, and Chile, turning them into centers for recruitment and operations through collaborations with other gangs.

To effectively counter Torren de Aragua’s resurgence in Latin American prisons, the region must treat the group as a state-supported asymmetric threat rather than a simple criminal organization, Arocha advised.

He outlined a four-pronged strategy, involving targeted sanctions against prison officials and the creation of a permanent task force that links Latin American countries and Interpol for better cooperation.

Arocha stressed that addressing all fronts simultaneously is crucial for the success in dismantling Torren de Aragua’s operations.

He elaborated, saying that the fight goes beyond gangs; it is about collapsing an entire system. Achieving this requires a unified effort from multiple angles.

The Maduro government has attempted to downplay the existence of Torren de Aragua, with law enforcement officials claiming the gang has been entirely dismantled. However, the SFS report labels this claim as unconvincing, suggesting that the supposed “raid” on Tocolon was more about orchestrated dissolution than actual dismantling.

According to Arocha, the implication is clear: rather than breaking apart the gang, the raids made it more adaptable and elusive, as demonstrated by ongoing criminal activities across the region.

When asked if the Venezuelan government’s assertion about dismantling the gang provided plausible deniability for Torren de Aragua’s continued operations, Arocha confirmed that it certainly gives Maduro a narrative to cling to.

He described how Torren de Aragua acts as a cost-effective proxy for the Maduro regime, serving its needs while allowing the government to maintain a level of plausible deniability.

Arocha characterized the Venezuelan migrant crisis as a disaster intentionally created by the Maduro regime, using it as a strategic tool for hybrid warfare. He noted that Torren de Aragua is capitalizing on this crisis by extorting migrants and utilizing them for various illegal activities.

“Ironically, the very people fleeing Maduro’s regime have become prime targets and victims of Torren de Aragua,” Arocha remarked. He stated that addressing the roots of the crisis in Caracas is essential for undermining Torren de Aragua’s expansion.

A resolution led by Caracas would significantly disrupt the growth of Torren de Aragua and create an opportunity for change. However, he insisted that continued aggressive enforcement, regional collaboration, and fortification of prisons are crucial to getting results.

In conclusion, Arocha pointed out that Torren de Aragua’s resilience stems from government support. Thus, real containment requires a blend of tactical successes and strategic isolation of Caracas through sanctions and coordinated efforts.