Chicago City Wire

The Chicago Contrarian has raised concerns about the potential presence of members of a Venezuelan prison gang, "Tren De Aragua / TdA," among asylum seekers.

The gang is known for its involvement in various violent criminal activities.

“It was only a matter of time….” Chicago Contrarian said on X.

Arrest record for alleged Tren De Aragua gang member. | Facebook / Chicago Mugshots

“Among our ‘asylum seekers’ exist members of a Venezuelan prison gang. A characteristic of the gang is ‘extreme brutality.’”

“Imagine the depravity these sadists will inflict when placed in Johnsonvilles.”

“Happy Halloween, ‘y’all.’"

The notice comes as a purported member of the gang has been arrested twice in Chicago since his arrival.

The man has been arrested under the names Gregorio Adrianza-Romero and Jose Hernandez Mende Romero.

“Migrant with gang tattoos using two different names, arrested a few times yet still in this country because the Chicago Police Department is following an illegal Sanctuary City policy. Criminal Migrant with gang tattoo released by Chicago Police to run the streets of Chicago,” Chicago Mugshots said on Facebook.

The Chicago Contrarian linked to a notice about the gang "Tren De Aragua / TdA.”

“‘Tren De Aragua / TdA’ is a criminal organization which originated in Aragua, Venezuela and is believed to be controlled from the confines of Tocoron Prison. Members of this organization have beer reported to engage in the following violent criminal activities: murder, drug trafficking, kidnapping, arm trafficking, human trafficking and extortion,”

“Reporting intelligence indicates ‘Tren De Aragua/ TdA’ is known to utilize extreme brutality, in their way of gaining respect and as a show to their adversaries what the organization is capable when i comes to resistance.”

The notice indicated the gang has adopted the Michael Jordan Nike Jumpman logo as a tattoo to indicate they are in the organization.

The concern notes having such illegal immigrants in “Johnsonville” tent cities spring up across the city.

The “Johnsonville” name comes from Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson's plan to establish winterized tents for housing migrants.

In Brighton Park protests have recently wracked the neighborhood where 1,600 illegal immigrants are expected to be housed in such tents.

One area resident said illegal activities such as prostitution are rampant already in such communities.

“It is apparent that prostitution near and among other migrant camps is rampant and increasing,” Sabrina Basquez said on Facebook.

“The page has been sent multiple videos of migrants participating in prostitution. I cannot emphasize enough the safety concerns this means for the camp at 38/California. There are numerous elementary schools within direct walking distance of the camp. For the city to ignore this is absurd and insulting to the residents.”

Tren De Aragua is reported to have 4,000 members.

It has managed to expand its influence across multiple South American countries, including Peru, Brazil, Colombia, Chile, Ecuador, Bolivia and Costa Rica.

According to VOZ Media, the origins of this criminal entity trace back to the years 2013 to 2015 when it first emerged among union laborers engaged in a railway construction project in Aragua.

Initially, the gang resorted to activities such as extortion and selling job positions in the construction project. However, with time, it broadened its criminal portfolio to encompass drug and arms trafficking, human trafficking, kidnappings, robberies and even involvement in illegal gold mining operations.

In 2021, the gang expanded into Chile, with reported activities in the country's northern regions and cities, involving extortion, robbery, kidnapping and homicide.

This incursion at the time raised concerns among Chilean security agencies noting the expansion into Chile as a significant regional threat that highlights the gang's rapid growth.

According to Dialogo Americas, Tren de Aragua's growth strategy involves forming alliances with local criminal actors and targeting Venezuelan migrants to set up new revenue streams in different countries, working with a well-organized business model that includes professional consultants and careful study of each country they enter.