BOGOTA, Colombia (AFP) — A founder of Tren de Aragua, a transnational gang founded in Venezuela, has asked Colombia's government for peace talks leading to the group's disbandment, according to a letter published Saturday.

In the letter to the peace commissioner of Colombia — where he is in prison — Larry Alvarez, alias "Larry Changa," asks to help "facilitate rapprochement and build a viable demobilization route."

The letter, also addressed to President Gustavo Petro and the Ministry of Justice, was signed by Alvarez's lawyers and published in local media and online.

The Colombian peace commissioner's office confirmed the authenticity of the letter to Agence France-Presse.

Founded in a Venezuelan prison, Tren de Aragua is now present in eight countries and was designated a "significant transnational criminal organization" by the United States last year.

The letter includes a request to pause Alvarez's extradition to Chile, where he faces charges of terrorism, arms trafficking, extortion and kidnapping.