“Toads out of our territory or lead up that ass.” At the top of the computer-written threat was the symbol of the Tren de Aragua gang and a gun. On January 31, Edwid Zartos realized his job as manager of the Parque Central El Tintal II housing complex had become complicated. Coexistence issues in this micro-city of 2,000 apartments and about 14,000 people southwest of Bogotá had been worsening since the pandemic, but I never thought it would come to this. “The government’s dog hunt has begun,” the message warned.
Entering this set is now like entering a prison. The gates are closed and security guards with transmitters report every entry. No one can do it unless they are a resident or have permission. The cameras pick up each face and identify the subject’s features with little success. Almost all faces are considered men with a beard, even if they are women. The elevators, which the news is threatening to set fire to, and the water tanks, which are said to be able to “enbenena”, are being monitored. [sic]“.
Edwin Zartos, administrator of the complex, in his office in the Parque Central Tintal Stage I residential complex, in Bogotá on February 23, 2023 Chelo Camacho
This Thursday afternoon some parents return to pick up their children from school by bike. It’s a sunny day in Bogotá, and there’s nothing strange about the comings and goings of people through the common areas between the towers. A few hours ago, the mayor of Bogotá, Claudia López, was here to tell residents that “they are not alone” and announced the start of a police investigation to dismantle the group behind the threats. “Here we are not afraid of these criminals,” he said.
López doesn’t believe the Tren de Aragua is behind the threats, but rather criminal groups using his name to intimidate. El Tren de Aragua is a band that was born in Venezuela but has established itself with emigration in several Latin American countries, including Colombia. Zartos also has his doubts, although he says that shots were heard on Wednesday night at one of the guards who was on the roof of a tower. The worker, who was unharmed, resigned the next day.
Cindy Díaz didn’t dare come down from her house when the mayor arrived and limited herself to looking out the window. She is one of the first neighbors to come to town nine years ago and is the counselor of her tower. He has hardly gone out since the end of January and has even stopped working. She lives with her husband and two young daughters who are afraid to leave the country. The threatening message was on his door. “A lot of people say it’s a game, but no. I wouldn’t think they are an ordinary band, they drink good whiskey and imported beers. It looks like they’ve set something up well.”
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Threat signed by El Tren de Aragua against Parque Central Tintal Stage I residential complex. Chelo Camacho
The troubles in this tower started a long time ago. Díaz takes care of the security of the building and supplies some chips to open the door. From some apartments, barely 43 meters away, they demanded up to 12 chips, one per inhabitant. The smell of marijuana became commonplace with a constant stream of people.
It was Councilor Javier Ospina of the Democratic Center who exposed the situation last week after months of complaints from neighbors. He assures that the gangs make these apartment complexes their centers of operations, creating problems with apartment overcrowding, drug sales, prostitution, daily clandestine parties and brawls.
The Venezuelan origin of these groups has also put a strain on living together. There are more than 4,000 Venezuelans in total, many of whom have been living peacefully with their families for years. The rent, which is around 600,000 pesos ($125) for small apartments, has attracted many migrants who have fled the neighboring country’s perennial crisis in search of better living conditions. The vast majority of them try to move forward without any problems.
The hand behind the threats also influences the origin. “The Aragua train has decided to protect our Venezuelan brothers from fines, abuse and humiliation upon entry [sic] and go out (…). We’re giving them 48 hours to withdraw or they’ll all pay.”
View of the city from the Kennedy Quarter condominium complex Chelo Camacho
Zartos did not resign. In fact, he is now spending more hours than ever in the complex, protected by private security guards in the administrative offices. The civil police are also investigating the case these days. While the administrator describes the situation, he receives a call from the public prosecutor’s office. He says they will protect his home, which is not in this Kennedy District complex. “Our freedom is coming to an end,” he says as he hangs up with an annoyed gesture.
– And you are not afraid?
– I was in the police force at the time of Pablo Escobar. That doesn’t scare me.
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