The escape of Héctor Guerrero, aka Warrior boy, has caused alarm in several countries in the region. The leader of the criminal organization Tren de Aragua was held in Torocón prison in northern Venezuela, but his escape was known before an intervention operation was carried out.

Guerrero is believed to have escaped through a tunnel along with other prisoners, although there is speculation that there may have been an agreement with Venezuelan authorities to ease the situation. This was denied by Venezuela’s Minister of the Interior and Justice, Remigio Ceballos, who pointed out that there was no negotiation.

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The non-governmental organization Venezuelan Prison Observatory (OVP) assured that the intervention “was discussed” with criminals who acted as negative leaders of the prison and the Aragua Train.

The Aragua Train is a transnational organization considered the most powerful in Venezuela and has expanded across the continent since 2018, following the exodus of migrants.

According to the portal Understanding crime, the band started in 2005 with the construction of the section of the Venezuelan railwaywhere they charged fees for job allocation and extorted contractors for security.

In 2013 the band reached its peak with the conquest of Warrior boy, who becomes leader of the Tocorón prison and manages to make alliances. The collection of compensation begins in the penitentiary center, with which they built an entire complex inside, including swimming pools and restaurants.

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The recruitment of new members and control of neighborhoods took place outside. The portal indicates that they have set up an operations center in Maracay and are working with the gang of the pinball They legally formed the Somos El Barrio JK foundation.

It is noted that the governorship of Tareck El Aissami strengthened the group since the police were dismantled and the action of the security forces was banned by transforming San Vicente into a peace zone.

Since 2018, the gang’s name started to become infamous in the region, where they focus on human trafficking, extortion and micro-trafficking, as well as migrant smuggling.

Reactions from Latin American governments

Last Friday, Chilean Deputy Interior Minister Manuel Monsalve ruled out that Guerrero was on his territory.

“Our police are on alert, but we do not have any precedent that allows us to confirm that the leader of the Aragua train is in Chile,” Monsalve told a news conference.

The Chilean portal Third revealed that the issue is being treated with restraint by the government, although she specified that the actions have been implemented within a strategic plan.

One of these is the increase in controls on the prison population in high and maximum security modules, where prisoners associated with the gang are found. In addition, the seizure of elements that represent danger takes place.

The investigation into telephone taps of subjects important to the operations was strengthened.

In case of Peru delivery was announced a reward for information that allows the capture of Guerrero, reported the head of the National Directorate of Criminal Investigations of the National Police (PNP), Óscar Arriola.

Arriola added that the domestic sector is coordinating with Venezuelan authorities and that “official communications” are also being maintained between Colombia, Ecuador, Chile and Peru to capture the leader of the Aragua train.

They decided to double police surveillance and intelligence work since the weekend.

For his part, Ecuador’s Minister of the Interior, Juan Zapata, assured this the band is not active in the country and that they have taken police intelligence measures. However, he pointed out that the Mobility Law does not restrict people’s access and does not allow full control over borders.

In Colombia, blue notices were issued for the capture of Guerrero and other members of the organization. Sandra Patricia Hernández, commander of the Bogotá police, indicated that they are working with Interpol due to the possibility that he is in that area. (JO)