They Confirm That the Criminal Organization 'el Tren De Aragua' Has Settled in the Country.

A new video allegedly related to the murder of a Colombian recorded in December of last year circulated on social media this Thursday, reigniting fear among the population of Santa Cruz. In the recording, a motorcycle is seen in flames while a voice issues threats directed at those who do not accept their conditions. This material is presumed to come from the Venezuelan criminal group known as "El Tren de Aragua."

This incident adds to a series of violent events recorded in recent months in the city. In December of last year, a Colombian involved in "gota a gota" loans was executed with thirteen shots. According to investigations, the crime is believed to be related to a territorial dispute between illegal lenders and hitmen from Tren de Aragua.

Despite this evidence, authorities have downplayed the possible presence of the organization in the country. The departmental police commander, Rolando Rojas, described the events as "isolated" and dismissed the existence of organized crime operations in Santa Cruz. In his view, for it to be considered organized crime, the attacks should be frequent and systematic.

However, former members of the Special Force to Fight Crime (Felcc) have a different opinion. Colonel Rubén Barrientos noted that, although there hasn't been a large-scale criminal wave, the presence of these criminal structures should be a cause for concern. He warned that the video of the Colombian's murder seems like a staged act intended to send a message of territorial control.

Justice has also been questioned for its actions in these cases. At the beginning of February, five alleged members of Tren de Aragua were released after being accused of extortion. Despite evidence in audio recordings where they were heard threatening a family over a debt of Bs 700,000, the Prosecutor's Office requested substitute measures, arguing that the penalties for this crime are reduced.

Does the regime not care about the safety of the population?

These events have alarmed the population, who fear that the lack of government action may favor the expansion of this criminal group in Bolivia. Meanwhile, in other countries like Chile and Peru, Tren de Aragua has been identified as an organization involved in human trafficking, drug trafficking, and contract killings.

Internationally, the group has been classified as a threat to regional security. In the United States, Donald Trump's administration included the issue in its security agenda, considering the possibility of deporting captured members to maximum-security prisons in El Salvador.

However, the masista regime has been skeptical about the existence of this organization in the country. In April of last year, the government minister accused of links to drug trafficking, Eduardo Del Castillo, reported the capture of criminals who identified themselves as members of Tren de Aragua. Nevertheless, the official stance ended up downplaying the situation, suggesting that it could be a "brand" used by various criminal gangs.

Criticism of the authorities' response has been increasing. Various sectors have questioned the lack of decisiveness in the actions of the Government and the Police in the face of evidence that Tren de Aragua is already operating in the country. The release of alleged members of this criminal organization, along with the official denial of their presence, has raised doubts about the State's ability to confront the threat of organized crime or its intentions to do so. For some analysts, minimizing the danger of this gang only contributes to its expansion and the normalization of violence.

Meanwhile, civil society is beginning to organize. In some neighborhoods of Santa Cruz, where the most recent events occurred, residents have expressed their concern and are promoting community security measures. Some have requested increased police presence, while others have opted to reinforce their homes with cameras and alarm systems. However, fear persists, as the background of this criminal group in other countries has shown that they do not hesitate to attack even those who try to resist their control.

In Venezuela, Nicolás Maduro's regime has repeatedly denied the existence of Tren de Aragua, generating diplomatic tensions with countries affected by its criminal actions. In Bolivia, indications of its presence are concentrated on the border with Chile, where the involvement of foreigners in illegal activities has been identified.

While masista authorities continue to downplay the threat, citizens demand answers. The growing violence and the impunity with which these groups operate have left a sense of helplessness. Without concrete measures, the country could become the next epicenter of Tren de Aragua's activities on the continent.