U.S. and Colombia Join Forces Against Tren de Aragua Crime Gang

The U.S. Embassy and Colombian law enforcement recently have jointly launched a $12 million reward program.

They seek information leading to the capture of three leaders from the notorious Tren de Aragua gang.

Originally based in Venezuela, this gang has expanded its reach across Latin America. U.S. Ambassador Francisco Palmieri and Colombian Police Chief William Salamanca made the announcement.

They are focusing on capturing Giovanny San Vicente, Yohan José Romero, and Héctor Guerrero Flores.

Individual rewards of three, four, and five million dollars are set for each, respectively. Notably, Flores had previously escaped from Venezuela’s Tocorón Penitentiary, a critical hub for their operations.

Following this, the capture of Larry Amaury Álvarez, an associate of Flores, took place in Colombia.

Since settling in Chile in 2018, Álvarez had expanded the gang’s activities. His arrest, alongside another gang member’s in Bogotá, signifies a major stride in a campaign involving 79 coordinated arrests.

This gang, notorious for extortion, drug trafficking, and migrant smuggling, has spiked crime rates across Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru.

Additionally, their operations have spread to Argentina and the U.S., exploiting the vast Venezuelan diaspora.

U.S. and Colombia Join Forces Against Tren de Aragua Crime Gang

Despite Venezuelan claims of dismantling the gang after a September raid, the leaders remain at large.

Ambassador Palmieri has pointed out the significant threat Tren de Aragua poses to both Colombian and U.S. citizens.

An imminent strategic plan, to be disclosed in Washington, focuses on apprehending these criminals.

This plan underscores the essential need for cooperation from Venezuelan authorities. This cooperative effort represents a crucial juncture in international law enforcement.

It highlights the unified commitment of the U.S. and Colombia to fight transnational organized crime.

Together, they aim to bolster security for communities besieged by these criminal networks.