Background on the Tren de Aragua Crime Group
The Tren de Aragua is a transnational criminal organization that originated in Venezuela in 2014. Known for its involvement in various illicit activities, the group has been linked to crimes such as kidnapping, robbery, drug trafficking, prostitution, and extortion across multiple countries including Chile, Colombia, Peru, Ecuador, Bolivia, and now Costa Rica. In February 2024, the U.S. government under President Donald Trump designated Tren de Aragua as a global terrorist organization, posing a threat to U.S. security.
Operation Against Human Trafficking in Costa Rica
On Tuesday, Costa Rican authorities, including the Fiscalía (Prosecutor’s Office) and the Organismo de Investigación Judicial (OIJ, judicial investigation agency), conducted coordinated raids on three hotels and four residences in San José and other locations. Within thirty minutes of initiating the raids, four suspects were detained.
Details of the Human Trafficking Ring
The criminal network exploited Venezuelan women by luring them with job opportunities in Costa Rica as content creators. Once the women arrived, they were held captive and forced into sexual exploitation. The OIJ reported that the victims were isolated, coerced into paying for transportation, food, and lodging through sexual encounters with third parties.
Transnational Connections
The Fiscalía stated that the Costa Rican human trafficking ring was connected to the Tren de Aragua organization. Among those suspected of being part of the network are Venezuelans, an Ecuadorian, and a Nicaraguan. The OIJ noted that the Costa Rican operation mirrored the structure used by Tren de Aragua in other countries, suggesting a transnational criminal enterprise.
Additional Criminal Activities
Beyond human trafficking, the Tren de Aragua is implicated in two homicides of Venezuelans that occurred in November 2024, according to Costa Rican authorities. The group’s wide-ranging criminal activities have made it a significant threat across multiple nations.
Key Questions and Answers
- What is the Tren de Aragua? The Tren de Aragua is a transnational criminal organization that originated in Venezuela in 2014. It is involved in various illicit activities, including kidnapping, robbery, drug trafficking, prostitution, and extortion across multiple countries.
- What was the human trafficking ring in Costa Rica about? The ring exploited Venezuelan women by luring them with job opportunities in Costa Rica as content creators. Once the women arrived, they were held captive and forced into sexual exploitation.
- Who was involved in the Costa Rican human trafficking ring? Among those suspected are Venezuelans, an Ecuadorian, and a Nicaraguan.
- What other criminal activities is the Tren de Aragua linked to? The Tren de Aragua has been implicated in two homicides of Venezuelans in Costa Rica and is considered a global terrorist organization by the U.S. government.
