The U.S. government, through multiple departments, is intensifying efforts to disrupt the Venezuelan criminal organization Tren de Aragua. The Department of Justice (DOJ), in collaboration with the State Department, is offering a reward of up to $12 million for information that leads to the capture of the gang’s leaders.
This initiative is part of a broader strategy to combat transnational organized crime, underscoring the severity of the threat posed by Tren de Aragua to communities both in the U.S. and abroad.
The Treasury Department has sanctioned Tren de Aragua for engaging in serious crimes, including human trafficking, drug trafficking, money laundering, and gender-based violence. These sanctions aim to weaken the gang’s operations and financial networks.
The State Department’s reward announcement highlights the U.S. government’s commitment to bringing the gang’s leaders to justice, further demonstrating the high level of coordination between U.S. agencies in addressing this issue.
U.S. Intensifies Efforts Against Venezuelan Gang Tren de Aragua with $12 Million Reward
Under Secretary for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence Brian Nelson emphasized the administration’s determination to use all available tools to combat gangs like Tren de Aragua.
He noted the gang’s exploitation of vulnerable populations and its extensive criminal activities across borders, which threaten the U.S. financial system and public safety. This coordinated response reflects a comprehensive approach to dismantling such criminal organizations.
Tren de Aragua, which originated in Venezuelan prisons, has rapidly expanded its criminal operations across the western hemisphere.
The Treasury Department highlighted the gang’s involvement in human trafficking, particularly targeting migrant women and girls for sex trafficking and debt bondage. The gang’s brutal methods, including the murder of victims attempting to escape, are used to maintain control and instill fear.
In addition to its regional criminal activities, Tren de Aragua has infiltrated local economies in South America and engaged in money laundering through cryptocurrencies. The gang also maintains connections with other criminal organizations, such as Brazil’s Primeiro Comando da Capital.
The U.S. government’s strategy includes enhanced border screening and vetting processes to identify and prevent gang members from entering the country. This multi-agency effort is part of the broader 2023 Strategy to Combat Transnational Organized Crime, demonstrating the U.S. commitment to addressing the global threat posed by such criminal networks.
