The statement issued on March 17, 2025, by María Corina Machado and Edmundo González Urrutia, leaders of the Venezuelan opposition, was a forceful attack against Nicolás Maduro.
In it, they directly accused him of being the leader of two of the most dangerous criminal organizations in Hispanic America: the Tren de Aragua and the Cartel of the Suns.
Machado and González claim that these organizations do not operate independently but are instruments of Maduro’s regime.
According to María Corina, the Tren de Aragua is involved in drug trafficking, sex trafficking, and other serious crimes, affecting both Venezuelans and citizens of other countries. The Cartel of the Suns, meanwhile, is allegedly composed of senior government officials and military personnel engaged in large-scale drug trafficking.
Her statement highlights how these mafias have extended their reach beyond Venezuela. The Tren de Aragua, originating in Aragua state, has committed numerous murders both inside and outside the country, including in Chile, according to data from the Chilean Prosecutor’s Office.
In Santiago, for instance, it is blamed for assassinations and extortion activities. Additionally, she mentions cases in Peru and Colombia, where the gang has been linked to human trafficking networks.
Hellbound and Down 