The Latin American Report # 337

This AP report delves into the recent history of El Tren de Aragua (the Aragua train), the criminal organization born in Venezuelan prisons that, according to experts and security forces, has spread like cancer throughout the region, reaching the United States itself "infiltrated" in the massive emigration of Bolivar's sons. Washington placed it on the same list as other notorious criminal groups such as the Salvadoran MS-13, while this September the conservative Governor Greg Abbott "honored" it with the “Tier 1 threat” label. While police in cities such as Denver, Colorado, have lowered the level of alarm produced by powerful voices such as Donald Trump, they claim to be investigating members of this organization for their possible involvement in various crimes, including homicides.

The gang is said to be associated with both drug and sex trafficking, as well as the exploitation of migrants. The Venezuelan government claimed to have quelled it after a raid this year in its bunker at Tocorón prison and tried to play down reports of its expansion in the region, mainly rebuking Chilean statements about it. Yet the very Miraflores Palace has "resurrected" the group, this time linking it to alleged destabilizing plans directed from the United States, as part of the post-electoral nightmare. The Republican bloc is appealing to some narratives related to the Aragua train—in some cases backed by real events—to hit the Democrats in this critical issue in the face of the November elections.

Sheinbaum

Mexico's first female president will assume office tomorrow, with many interesting challenges, most of them bequeathed to her by the outgoing Andrés Manuel López Obrador. The veteran leader leaves several “hot potatoes” to Sheinbaum, such as the implementation of the comprehensive and controversial judicial reform that strained internal social cohesion in the last two months, impacted—perhaps forcibly—the Aztec reputation before financial markets and powerful investors, and also generated bad signals from important partners such as the United States, strongly rejected by AMLO, who put “on pause” relations with Ken Salazar. In addition, there is the diplomatic conflict with the Moncloa that stems from a demand of the Mexican president to Felipe VI, urging him to be the bearer of a historical apology for all the grievances that Spanish colonization entailed.

Nevertheless, Claudia Sheinbaum will start her six-year term protected by the popularity that MORENA has been able to cultivate among the citizens—63% view her favorably—, even when the insecurity problem was let far from being solved. The latter is the main stain left by López Obrador, and we just need to see how the state of Sinaloa has already registered more than 120 homicides in September, plunged into an unstoppable spiral of violence. Monetary transfers to alleviate the scourge of poverty and other social programs are the main source of nourishment for MORENA's electoral bases. “I can't stop saying that I leave very satisfied with the affection of many Mexicans,” said AMLO in his last morning press conference.

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And this is all for our report today. I have referenced the sources dynamically in the text, and remember you can learn how and where to follow the LATAM trail news by reading my work here. Have a nice day.