Rise of a Notorious Gang from a Venezuelan Prison
In a small Venezuelan town, a significant prison has become the birthplace of one of Latin America’s most infamous gangs. Following the death of its leader, who passed away in prison while Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro was present, the gang has now begun creating chaos in American cities.
Tokoron prison, located in the same town, was once a place that showcased luxury, complete with swimming pools, nightclubs, and a zoo for some of Venezuela’s most dangerous criminals.
During Maduro’s presidency, Tokoron was effectively under the control of inmates. Kidnappings, extortion, and a multitude of violent crimes were routinely orchestrated within its walls, as reported by the Associated Press.
Notorious criminal Héctor “Niño” Guerrero returned to Tokoron soon after Maduro’s election in 2013, serving time for murder and other charges. He took charge of the rampant corruption there and aimed to expand his gang, Tren de Aragua, which the U.S. now designates as a foreign terrorist organization.
Charges Against Gang Leaders Dropped
David Pailous, a sociology professor at the University of Colorado Boulder, explains that economic turmoil often leads to gang formations, especially in prisons where individuals with violent histories vie for control over illegal markets. Pailous stated, “What happens in prison affects what happens on the street, and vice versa.” It’s all interconnected, making the divide between prison and community quite porous.
Under Maduro’s regime, corruption flourished. It wasn’t until 2023, a decade later, that the government made a significant attempt to regain control when thousands of troops stormed the prison. However, this response was arguably too slow. By the time they intervened, Tren de Aragua had gathered a membership of over 4,000, extending its reach across 11 states, according to the Venezuelan Violence Observatory.
As the authorities work to dismantle the culture that thrived in Tokoron, Guerrero has escaped from prison alongside others, indicating potential corruption or internal strife, as Pailous suggested. Following his escape, criminal activities linked to Tren de Aragua surged across the U.S., with one hotspot being a neighborhood in Colorado.
Gang’s Terror on American Streets
In 2024, Tren de Aragua gained notoriety after robbing apartments in Aurora, Colorado. Armed members of the gang were seen entering buildings, demanding ransoms. In a particularly alarming incident, surveillance captured gang members harassing a tenant for refusing to pay a bribe.
The threats escalated to physical assault, with one property manager attacked for denying a payoff. He stated, “I think they tried to kill me. I don’t know how they escaped.”
In November 2023, another property manager endured an assault by a known gang member, indicative of the heightened violence linked to gang activities. The situation became severe enough that a judge ordered a temporary closure of the apartment complex due to safety threats, relocating around 85 families.
Surge in Violent Crimes
Aurora Police Chief Todd Chamberlain highlighted that the gang specifically targeted Venezuelan immigrants through violence and intimidation, with their operations turning apartments into hotspots for trafficking, shootings, and assaults. In 2025, an alleged gang member was arrested in New York City for his involvement in an earlier violent incident.
Some experts believe that preemptive measures could have curtailed the situation before it escalated to what Tren de Aragua has become, yet inefficient governmental structures pose challenges in addressing these issues effectively.
Continuing Legal Actions
Recently, the Department of Justice announced indictments for alleged leaders of Tren de Aragua, indicating ongoing efforts to counteract their influence and address the violence attributed to their activities. However, capturing Guerrero remains a priority, particularly since he escaped under Maduro’s administration.
Overall, allowing gangs to control such facilities underscores systemic failures in maintaining secure prison conditions and preventing groups from gaining so much power.
