Aragua Train Founder Offers Peace Talks to Colombia’s Petro Amid Transnational Criminal Charges
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A founder of the notorious Aragua Train criminal association has proposed initiating peace negotiations with colombian President Gustavo Petro, perhaps paving the way for the group’s demobilization. The offer, detailed in a letter released Saturday, November 10, 2025, adn confirmed by Colombia’s Peace Commissioner’s office, represents a important, though complex, growth in the region’s fight against organized crime.
The proposal comes from Larry Álvarez, known as “Larry Changa,” who identifies himself as the “founder” of the Aragua Train. The organization originated within the Tocorón prison in Venezuela. Álvarez, currently incarcerated in Bogotá after his capture last year, seeks to be designated a “Peace Manager” to facilitate dialog and establish a path toward disbanding the criminal network.
The Rise of the Aragua Train
The aragua Train has rapidly expanded its influence, now operating in approximately eight countries across the region. Its activities range from extortion and kidnapping to arms trafficking and terrorism, prompting the United States to designate it a “major transnational criminal organization” in July 2024. This designation triggered the blocking of all the group’s assets within the U.S. financial system.
The organization’s origins are rooted in the dire conditions within the Venezuelan prison system, where gangs flourished with relative autonomy. “The Aragua Train exploited the power vacuum within Tocorón to build a sophisticated criminal enterprise,” explained one security analyst. this allowed them to extend their reach beyond prison walls and into neighboring countries.
Petro’s “Total Peace” Policy and Potential Challenges
President Petro, who assumed office in 2022, has championed a policy of “total peace” aimed at resolving Colombia’s decades-long armed conflict. This initiative builds upon the 2016 peace agreement with the now-defunct FARC guerrilla group, but seeks to address ongoing violence perpetrated by other armed groups.
However, negotiating with a transnational criminal organization like the Aragua train presents unique challenges. Last August, the Colombian Supreme Court approved Álvarez’s extradition to Chile, where he faces charges related to terrorism, arms trafficking, extortion, and kidnapping. This extradition request complicates the possibility of Álvarez acting as a negotiator from within Colombia.
A Nation Scarred by Conflict
Colombia’s history of armed conflict has resulted in a staggering toll.The decades-long struggle between guerrillas, state forces, and paramilitary groups has left approximately 9.9 million victims, the vast majority of whom have been displaced from their homes. Petro’s “total peace” initiative aims to finally address the root causes of the conflict.
Why did this happen? the Aragua Train, born from the chaos of the Venezuelan prison system, expanded its criminal enterprise across borders, prompting a response from regional governments. Larry Álvarez, the group’s founder, offered peace talks as a potential path to demobilization.
Who is involved? Key players include Larry Álvarez (“larry Changa”) representing the Aragua Train,Colombian President Gustavo Petro,Colombia’s Peace Commissioner’s office,and the governments of Venezuela,Chile,and the United States.
What is the proposal? Álvarez proposes to act as a “Peace manager” to facilitate negotiations for the Aragua Train’s disbandment.
How did it end? As of November 11,2025,the situation remains unresolved. Álvarez’s extradition to Chile, approved in August, presents a significant obstacle to negotiations. the coming weeks will be critical in determining whether meaningful negotiations can be established and whether the Aragua Train can be persuaded to lay down its arms.
