The Justice Department has unsealed sweeping indictments tying more than 70 members of Tren de Aragua to a string of violent crimes and transnational schemes across multiple states, marking a sharp enforcement push. This story tracks federal charges from RICO conspiracies to alleged murders, and it underscores a hardline approach to cartels and violent gangs operating inside the United States.
Federal prosecutors say the accused TdA operatives carried out murder, extortion, robbery, kidnapping, money laundering and drug trafficking in Colorado, Nebraska, New Mexico, Texas and New York. Those allegations paint a picture of a network moving violence and illicit profits across borders and into American towns.
In Colorado a grand jury returned RICO-related charges against two alleged leaders, and prosecutors linked those defendants to armed heists at jewelry stores in Denver last June. The charged offenses include robbery conspiracies, Hobbs Act robbery counts and weapons violations tied to those violent robberies.
In Nebraska, a separate grand jury indicted dozens in connection with an alleged scheme that used malware to steal millions from U.S. banks by manipulating ATMs. Beyond theft, prosecutors say some defendants face counts alleging material support for terrorism, money laundering, bank fraud and computer intrusion offenses.
New Mexico authorities unsealed charges against 11 alleged TdA members accused of kidnapping, interrogating and strangling a victim in an Albuquerque apartment before burying the body in a remote desert grave. The indictment there adds to a grim tally of violent acts prosecutors say were coordinated by gang leaders.
Prosecutors also describe an armed clash at an apartment complex in Aurora, Colorado, where rival groups traded gunfire and one person died. The incident is part of a larger mosaic of violent encounters across jurisdictions that federal officials say link back to Tren de Aragua command and control.
“Immediately upon taking office, I directed the Department of Justice to fiercely pursue the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations,” she said. “This latest multi-state series of charges underscores the Trump administration’s unwavering commitment to restoring public safety, dismantling violent trafficking networks and ridding our country of Tren de Aragua terrorists.”
Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche emphasized the national threat posed by these groups and the federal response. “Tren de Aragua is a terrorist cartel that exploits our borders to bring murder, drugs and chaos into American communities,” Blanche said. “This Department is crushing their leadership, dismantling their networks and cutting off their money across the United States. There will be no safe haven here. If you cross our border to commit violent crime, we will find you, prosecute you and put you away.”
In New York, prosecutors unsealed an indictment against Hector Rusthenford Guerrero Flores, also known as “Nino Guerrero,” charging him with leading TdA activities across North America, South America and Europe. The DOJ described him as the mastermind behind the gang’s expansion and cataloged years of alleged direction of murders, kidnappings, extortions and drug shipments.
“While operating from Venezuela and elsewhere, Guerrero Flores ordered, directed, facilitated and supported acts of violence and terrorism transcending national boundaries, including murders, kidnappings, extortions and maiming against victims located inside and outside the United States, and facilitated the transport of tons of cocaine from Venezuela to the United States,” the DOJ press release read.
Guerrero Flores remains at large and the Department of State is offering a $5 million reward for information leading to his arrest or conviction. That kind of bounty signals the seriousness with which federal authorities view this leadership role and the international scope of the alleged crimes.
In Texas, a superseding indictment charges four Venezuelan nationals with conspiring to provide material support to TdA and with conspiracy to distribute cocaine bound for the U.S., with prosecutors identifying two as top leaders. Authorities say other high-ranking members directed operations including gold smuggling, narcotics exporting and violent enforcement across multiple countries.
“The FBI is committed to investigating members of violent transnational gangs whose actions violate our laws and put American lives at risk,” he said. “The existence of TdA is a direct threat to our national security, and we will not allow such a dangerous criminal organization to take root in our communities. Together with our law enforcement partners at every level, we are working to bring these ruthless criminals to justice.”
