The strategic importance of designating Tren de Aragua a terrorist organization

The Peruvian government’s recent call for all members of the Organization of American States to declare the transnational criminal group Tren de Aragua a terrorist organization is a landmark action that will reverberate positively throughout the Western Hemisphere.

The statement — supported by the U.S., Argentina, Ecuador, El Salvador, Panama and Paraguay — requests that OAS member states consider designating Tren de Aragua as a foreign terrorist organization, or to adopt equivalent legal frameworks that allow for greater prosecution capacity, asset freezes and enforcement actions.

Tren de Aragua, which began in a Venezuelan state prison around 2014, is today one of the most dangerous transnational criminal organizations in the Americas. The group has rapidly expanded its operations into neighboring countries and beyond, leaving a trail of violence, exploitation and suffering.

It operates as a highly organized criminal corporation, using violence and a hierarchical structure to control illicit markets, and terrorist tactics to eliminate competition and instill fear. Tren de Aragua has sown chaos, undermined local governance and endangered the lives of countless citizens.

Thriving on fear and financial gain, Tren de Aragua is estimated to have around 5,000 members, and its annual profits range between $10 million and $15 million. Their use of extreme violence, targeted assassinations and mass intimidation to maintain control and expand influence aligns with the modus operandi of terrorist organizations.

Its expansion has been swift and violent, exploiting deficient law enforcement, corruption and large migrant flows. Many nations in the region have been affected by the influence of this criminal network, which has disrupted communities in vulnerable border areas. Its operations have rapidly expanded into cities, effectively transforming into a new form of urban terrorism.

The expansion of Tren de Aragua represents a significant regional crisis. This gang engages in drug trafficking, extortion and hired killings. It utilizes terrorist tactics such as torture and public displays of violence to instill fear and maintain control. Members often disseminate graphic content on social media to intimidate both rivals and law enforcement agencies.

In April, the U.S. filed charges under the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act against 27 members and associates of Tren de Aragua for acts committed both in America and abroad. This case showcases the need to address this pervasive threat further through coordinated international action. The recent U.S. designation of Tren de Aragua as a terrorist organization marks a crucial strategic step.

First, by recognizing Tren de Aragua as a terrorist group, the U.S. gains a broader set of tools to dismantle the its financial infrastructure. Many criminal organizations rely on transnational banking systems and shadowy financial channels to launder money and fund their operations. Cutting off access to these resources will severely weaken Tren de Aragua.

Second, this move also sets the stage for enhanced regional collaboration. By highlighting the threat the group poses on the global stage, the U.S. sends a powerful message of mutually beneficial collaboration with its Latin American partners. Increased intelligence sharing, joint operations and technical assistance will help dismantle this criminal network.

Third, the U.S. designation underscores the importance of a safer region and a stronger partnership with the Americas. It is a signal that the U.S. is committed to addressing one of the primary root causes of insecurity and instability in Latin America and within the U.S. By taking a stand against Tren de Aragua, the U.S. affirms its role as a partner in building a safer, more stable region where democracy and economic opportunity can thrive.

The call for a unified response to combat Tren de Aragua across borders is critical. Together with its allies, the U.S. can champion an “Americas-First Foreign Policy,” as suggested by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and reaffirm shared values with countries throughout the region.

This would complement other security and defense cooperation from the U.S. and make its presence and influence more important and tangible. No other global power can make a greater commitment to working in the region to ensure that groups like Tren de Aragua cannot operate with impunity.

Alfredo Ferrero is Peru’s ambassador to the U.S.