A top leader of the transnational Tren de Aragua criminal organization has been formally charged in a U.S. federal court with a string of serious offenses, including racketeering conspiracy, terrorism-related activities, international drug importation and illegal firearms distribution. The indictment, which lays out years of alleged criminal conduct, names the suspect as a key architect of the gang’s expansion beyond its Venezuelan origins into the United States and other continents. Federal authorities have issued a substantial reward for information leading to his arrest as part of an ongoing crackdown on violent transnational syndicates.
Gang Leader Indicted on Multiple Federal Offenses
Federal prosecutors in the Southern District of New York unsealed charges accusing the alleged gang chief, identified with multiple aliases, of directing and facilitating a range of crimes attributed to the Tren de Aragua network. The indictment alleges he played a central role in evolving the group from a Venezuelan prison gang into a sprawling criminal enterprise with activities spanning North America, South America and Europe.
Among the charges are racketeering conspiracy counts tied to organized violence and corruption, terrorism-related offenses for providing material support to a designated foreign terrorist organization, international drug trafficking, and unlawful possession and distribution of firearms. Authorities say the charges reflect the group’s threat to public safety and national security interests.
Fugitive Status and Reward Offer
The accused remains at large, and U.S. officials have launched a manhunt with a reward of up to $5 million for credible information leading to his apprehension. Prosecutors underscored that the suspect’s alleged direction of the gang’s global operations places him among the most significant targets in the federal government’s effort to dismantle violent transnational criminal organizations.
More than 30 other members and associates of Tren de Aragua have already been charged in federal court with crimes linked to the syndicate’s expansive network, including extortion, drug smuggling and acts of violence.
Broader Impact of the Indictment
The charges against the Tren de Aragua leader highlight wider concerns about the activities of Venezuelan-origin criminal groups operating within the U.S. and abroad. Law enforcement agencies have increasingly labeled the gang’s violent and illicit enterprises as akin to organized terrorist networks, elevating enforcement actions and legal strategies to combat their influence.
Officials say this case is part of a broader federal initiative to target transnational crime syndicates through coordinated indictments and cross-border investigations, aiming to disrupt narcotics trafficking, weapons smuggling and other serious offenses that threaten public safety and international stability.
