U.S. posts $5M reward for Tren de Aragua boss
The U.S. has offered a $5 million reward for tips leading to the arrest of Tren de Aragua leader "Niño Guerrero" and announced Treasury sanctions targeting the gang and its network, an action Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said was taken at President Trump’s direction. Sanctioned associates include model/DJ Jimena Romina Araya Navarro ("Rosita"), accused of laundering proceeds and aiding a 2012 Tocorón prison escape; Eryk Manuel Landaeta Hernandez, identified as the gang’s financial/logistics chief in Colombia and arrested in October 2024; and several other alleged operatives involved in extortion, kidnappings and homicides across the region.
📌 Key Facts
- The U.S. Treasury (OFAC) sanctioned Jimena Romina Araya Navarro ("Rosita"), alleging she laundered money for Tren de Aragua and aided its leader "Niño Guerrero" in a 2012 Tocorón prison escape.
- OFAC says Navarro performed at Bogotá’s Maiquetia VIP Bar Restaurant (owned by her former bodyguard/manager Eryk Manuel Landaeta Hernandez), and links proceeds from those events and her business activities to Tren de Aragua; she is also a shareholder and president of Venezuela-based Global Import Solutions S.A.
- Eryk Manuel Landaeta Hernandez was arrested by Colombian authorities in October 2024; U.S. Treasury alleges he served as Tren de Aragua’s financial and logistics chief in Colombia through Eryk Producciones SAS.
- The Treasury designated additional individuals tied to Tren de Aragua: Richard Jose Espinal Quintero; Noe Manases Aponte Cordova; Asdrubal Rafael Escobar Cabrera; Cheison Royer Guerrero Palma (identified as the half-brother of "Niño Guerrero" expanding activity in Chile); and Kenffersso Jhosue Sevilla Arteaga ("El Flipper"), who was arrested in Cúcuta in November 2025 on allegations of extortion, kidnappings and homicides.
- Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said the sanctions were taken at President Trump's direction and described Tren de Aragua as a "grave threat."
- The OFAC designation ties entertainment venues, business entities, and Colombia-based logistics/financial networks to Tren de Aragua's criminal operations, according to the Treasury.
📰 Sources (2)
Model, DJ linked to violent Tren de Aragua gang leader sanctioned by Trump administration
New information:
- OFAC specifically details that Jimena Romina Araya Navarro ('Rosita') allegedly helped TdA launder money and aided leader 'Niño Guerrero' in a 2012 Tocorón prison escape.
- Navarro performed at Bogotá’s Maiquetia VIP Bar Restaurant, owned by her former bodyguard/manager Eryk Manuel Landaeta Hernandez; Treasury links proceeds from such events to TdA.
- Navarro is a shareholder and president of Venezuela-based Global Import Solutions S.A.
- Eryk Manuel Landaeta Hernandez was arrested by Colombian authorities in October 2024 and allegedly served as TdA’s financial/logistics chief in Colombia via Eryk Producciones SAS.
- Additional sanctioned individuals named: Richard Jose Espinal Quintero; Noe Manases Aponte Cordova; Asdrubal Rafael Escobar Cabrera; Cheison Royer Guerrero Palma (Niño Guerrero’s half-brother expanding activity in Chile); and Kenffersso Jhosue Sevilla Arteaga ('El Flipper'), arrested in Cúcuta in November 2025 for involvement in extortion, kidnappings, and homicides.
- Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent states the action is at President Trump’s direction and frames TdA as a grave threat.