A violent split has emerged within the notorious Venezuelan street gang Tren de Aragua in New York City, with federal authorities reporting the rise of a rival faction called “Anti-Tren.” This development comes as the transnational crime syndicate faces increasing pressure from U.S. law enforcement nationwide.

The internal conflict came to light following the arrest of a suspected gang leader, according to a federal criminal complaint. The federal documents say the rivalry has sparked numerous shootings and murders between Tren de Aragua (TdA) and Anti-Tren members, though investigators note that gang members’ allegiances often shift fluidly between the two groups.

Gang researcher Gregg Etter suggests the emergence of Anti-Tren indicates TdA’s significant growth in New York City, as such splits typically occur only when gangs reach a size where power struggles can sustain separate factions. The development has complicated law enforcement efforts, effectively doubling the workload for authorities tracking gang activities.

Since establishing its presence in the U.S., TdA has spread to 16 states, engaging in kidnappings, theft rings and violent crimes. The White House reports nearly 200 gang members have been arrested in recent operations.

The Trump administration has made deportation of TdA members a priority in its immigration crackdown. Recently, 23 gang members were transported to a temporary detention facility at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, including a convicted killer and a fugitive wanted in Venezuela for multiple crimes.

Additional enforcement actions include a raid targeting more than 100 TdA members at an Aurora, Colorado, apartment complex, and the arrest of nearly 50 members at a Denver-area warehouse converted into a nightclub linked to drug trafficking.

In a diplomatic development, Secretary of State Marco Rubio has secured an agreement with El Salvador’s President Nayib Bukele to incarcerate deported TdA members in the country’s 40,000-capacity mega-prison, offering an alternative detention solution for U.S. authorities.

Read more: Tren de Aragua gets homegrown rival with ’Anti-Tren’ gang in New York City

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