Arrival of Venezuelan gang rattles Latin America’s most secure country

The once prestigious Beaux-Arts Portal Fernández Concha building in downtown Santiago has now become a symbol of Chile’s gang-driven crime wave. The 19th-century property, which was once a fashionable hotel, has been taken over by members of Venezuela’s Tren de Aragua gang, who turned rented rooms into a base for a sex trafficking ring.

Despite police efforts to dismantle the operation in 2023, young women can still be seen lingering outside the building, approaching passing men. The security guard at the building described the chaotic scene, with knife fights occurring outside on a regular basis.

Experts attribute Chile’s vulnerability to organized crime to a regional trend where criminal groups have expanded their operations into new territories, taking advantage of vulnerable populations. The Tren de Aragua, formed in a Venezuelan prison in 2014, has capitalized on the influx of refugees from Venezuela, targeting the poor and marginalized for exploitation.

The rise in crime, including kidnappings, extortion, and sex trafficking, has shifted the country’s political landscape. Crime is now the top concern for seven in 10 Chileans, overshadowing economic inequalities that sparked mass protests in 2019. President Gabriel Boric has acknowledged the gravity of the situation, emphasizing the importance of security for democracy.

As Chile grapples with the influx of organized crime and a conflict with indigenous groups in the south, security has become a key issue ahead of the upcoming elections. The government has taken steps to combat organized crime, including creating specialized units and passing reforms. However, challenges remain, including institutional corruption that enables criminal groups to thrive.

The transformation of the Portal Fernández Concha building from a luxury hotel to a hub for criminal activity serves as a stark reminder of the impact of organized crime on Chilean society.