Imprisoned Tren de Aragua Founder Asks to Take Part in Colombia's Peace Effort Aimed at Disarming Criminal Organizations

Larry Amaury Álvarez Núñez, known as Larry Changa and identified by Colombian authorities as one of the founders of the Venezuelan criminal group Tren de Aragua, has formally asked President Gustavo Petro's government to allow the organization to join the country's peace negotiations intended to dismantle armed and criminal groups.

In a two-page letter obtained by local news site Semana, Álvarez—currently detained in Bogotá's La Picota prison awaiting extradition to Chile—said he wishes to participate in Colombia's peace efforts as a gesture of "collaboration and submission to justice." Chile has charged him with terrorism, weapons trafficking, extortion, and kidnapping. The Colombian Supreme Court has already approved his extradition, which is will be conducted following Petro's signature.

"As one of the three founders and authorized spokesperson of the so-called Tren de Aragua criminal group, I express my willingness and that of our organization to collaborate with the Colombian state in social, preventive, and reintegration initiatives," Álvarez wrote in the letter obtained by Semana.

He framed the request as an attempt to "reduce violence and the influence of criminal organizations that affect vulnerable communities and the migrant population."

The letter was addressed to Petro, Justice Minister Eduardo Montealegre, and High Commissioner for Peace Otty Patiño. It proposes discussions under the legal framework of Colombia's ongoing peace effort, seeking to "design reintegration programs for young people in vulnerable conditions" and to "support prevention campaigns in coordination with local authorities and NGOs."

Álvarez denied seeking impunity, stating: "I do not seek to evade justice or interfere with judicial processes. My intention is one of collaboration and truth, aimed at contributing to public policy through diagnoses, training programs, and community prevention mechanisms."

Three other imprisoned members of Tren de Aragua—Carlos "Bobby" Gómez Moreno, Dayonis "Boti" Orozco, and Luis "Gocho" Carrillo—have also expressed readiness to take part in exploratory talks if the government agrees. All are wanted for extradition to Chile in connection with the killing of Venezuelan military defector Ronald Ojeda.

Tren de Aragua, which originated in a Venezuelan prison, has expanded across Latin America and is considered one of the fastest-growing transnational criminal groups. The United States designated it as a terrorist organization earlier this year, becoming an emblem of the Trump administration's deportation push.

Colombian law allows the executive branch to open peace or surrender negotiations with armed or criminal groups, though experts note that no legal mechanism currently exists for transnational organizations like Tren de Aragua. Senator Ariel Ávila told Semana that the proposal "would require a collective submission process, not a political negotiation," and that any agreement would ultimately depend on Petro's authorization.