Venezuelan Gang Tren de Aragua Expands Operations in Mexico City

Authorities arrest six members accused of extortion, drug offenses, and human trafficking in the Cuauhtemoc neighborhood.

Published on Feb. 10, 2026

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A Venezuelan criminal gang known as Tren de Aragua has expanded its activities in Mexico, becoming a major player in extortion, prostitution, and drug trafficking in one of Mexico City's largest neighborhoods, according to Mexican authorities and news reports. Six alleged gang members were recently arrested, including leaders accused of collecting profits from sexual exploitation, extorting businesses, and drug sales.

Why it matters

The expansion of Tren de Aragua's operations in Mexico City highlights the growing influence of foreign criminal organizations in the country and the challenges Mexican authorities face in combating human trafficking, extortion, and other organized crime activities. The gang's activities have had a significant impact on the Cuauhtemoc neighborhood, where authorities say it has established near-total control.

The details

According to Mexican officials, the six arrested Tren de Aragua members include an alleged gang leader named Lesli Valeri N., who was responsible for collecting profits from the sexual exploitation of women, extortion of businesses and individuals, and illicit drug sales. Another alleged leader, Bryan N., was accused of procuring properties to house and sexually exploit women and provide safe spaces for other gang members. Authorities say they have opened 103 human trafficking investigations linked to Tren de Aragua in the Cuauhtemoc neighborhood since 2023, with more than a quarter of those cases originating in the area.

  • On Tuesday, Mexican authorities announced the arrests of the six Tren de Aragua members.
  • The daily La Jornada reported that authorities have opened 103 human trafficking investigations linked to Tren de Aragua between 2023 and 2027.

The players

Tren de Aragua

A Venezuelan criminal gang that has expanded its operations into Mexico, becoming a major player in extortion, prostitution, and drug trafficking in the Cuauhtemoc neighborhood of Mexico City.

Lesli Valeri N.

An alleged leader of the Tren de Aragua gang who was responsible for collecting profits from the sexual exploitation of women, extortion of businesses and individuals, and illicit drug sales.

Bryan N.

Another alleged leader of the Tren de Aragua gang who was accused of procuring properties to house and sexually exploit women and provide safe spaces for other gang members.

Omar Garcia Harfuch

The Public Safety Secretary of Mexico City who announced the arrests of the six Tren de Aragua members.

Terrance Cole

The Drug Enforcement Administration Administrator who described Tren de Aragua as a "ruthless, highly organized, and rapidly expanding foreign terrorist organization that thrives on chaos and human suffering."

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What they’re saying

“Tren de Aragua is a ruthless, highly organized, and rapidly expanding foreign terrorist organization that thrives on chaos and human suffering.”

— Terrance Cole, Drug Enforcement Administration Administrator (U.S. Justice Department)

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow the arrested Tren de Aragua members to be released on bail.

The takeaway

The expansion of the Venezuelan Tren de Aragua gang's operations in Mexico City underscores the growing threat of foreign criminal organizations in the country and the urgent need for Mexican authorities to combat human trafficking, extortion, and other organized crime activities that are devastating local communities.