Transnational Gangs and Cartels

The Justice Department unsealed multi‑state indictments charging more than 70 alleged members and associates of Tren de Aragua with racketeering, terrorism‑related offenses, drug trafficking, robbery, extortion, money laundering, ATM hacking, kidnapping and murder across Colorado, Nebraska, New Mexico, Texas and New York, with federal officials calling the group a “terrorist cartel” that exploits U.S. borders. U.S. prosecutors in the Southern District of New York also personally indicted alleged Tren de Aragua leader Hector Rusthenford Guerrero Flores — nicknamed “The Unspeakable” — on charges including racketeering conspiracy, conspiracy to provide material support to terrorists, cocaine importation conspiracy and weapons offenses, alleging he ran the group from Venezuela’s Tocorón prison and offering up to $5 million for his arrest.