Larry Amaury Álvarez Núñez, known as “Larry Changa,” has been on a tumultuous journey through Venezuela, Chile, and Colombia between 2018 and 2024. He co-founded the notorious Tren de Aragua cartel in Venezuela and has been a key figure in its expansion across Latin America. Larry Changa’s arrest in Colombia has reignited attention on the cartel’s operations and the criminal activities of its leaders.
Changa’s arrest comes after an international warrant was issued for his arrest by a court in Chile in 2023. His role within the Tren de Aragua group, along with fellow leader Héctor Guerrero Flores, has been marked by violence, drug trafficking, and other criminal operations.
The presence of the Tren de Aragua cartel in Chile was first investigated in 2022, leading to the arrest of several key members, including Changa’s successor, Eduard Nava Navarro. The cartel’s activities have been linked to a range of criminal offenses, from kidnapping to drug trafficking.
Escape from Venezuelan prison
Larry Changa’s criminal journey began in Venezuela’s Tocorón prison, where he founded the Tren de Aragua cartel with other inmates. His escape from prison in 2015 marked a turning point in his criminal career, leading to his involvement in the cartel’s international operations.
Despite his criminal past and activities, Changa managed to travel to Chile in 2018 and establish a network of illegal businesses while evading capture. His arrest in Colombia has brought renewed focus on the Tren de Aragua cartel and the ongoing efforts to dismantle its criminal activities.
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