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The United States has announced new sanctions targeting key officials within Tren de Aragua, a violent Venezuelan gang now designated as a Foreign Terrorist Organization.
Some shit you should know before you read: If you’re unaware, Tren de Aragua is a Venezuelan criminal organization that originated in the early 2000s inside a Venezuelan prison located in Aragua. Initially formed as a prison gang, it rapidly evolved under the leadership of Hector “Niño Guerrero” Flores into a transnational criminal enterprise. From its base in Venezuela, the gang expanded throughout Latin America and into the United States, establishing operations in at least 16 US states by 2024. Tren de Aragua finances its activities through drug trafficking, human smuggling and trafficking, extortion, illegal gold mining, and prostitution rings.
What’s going on now: In a notable development, the State Department, along with the US Treasury, imposed sanctions on the leadership of Tren de Aragua, targeting six individuals accused of orchestrating and profiting from a wide array of violent and illicit activities across the Western Hemisphere. The sanctions focused on Hector Rusthenford Guerrero Flores, known as “Niño Guerrero,” as well as five of his close affiliates: Yohan Jose Romero (“Johan Petrica”), Josue Angel Santana Peña (“Santanita”), Wilmer José Perez Castillo (“Wilmer Guayabal”), Felix Anner Castillo Rondon (“Pure Arnel”), and Guerrero’s wife, Wendy Marbelys Rios Gomez.
In addition to Guerrero (who is currently at large after escaping a Venezuelan prison for the second time), the other five individuals sanctioned are believed to hold critical operational roles within the gang. Romero, one of Guerrero’s original lieutenants, is accused of arming the gang with military-grade weapons to fight Colombian guerrillas and lead illegal mining operations in Venezuela. Santana Peña, who once directed gang operations from within prison, is linked to orchestrating bombings, assassinations, and extortion campaigns. Perez Castillo has allegedly executed murders of Venezuelan law enforcement and intelligence personnel, while Castillo Rondon leads Tren de Aragua’s Chilean cell, “Los Gallegos,” which is implicated in human trafficking, drug trade, and prostitution rings. Wendy Marbelys Rios Gomez, Guerrero’s wife, is accused of laundering criminal proceeds and financing terrorist activities, enriching herself through the gang’s sprawling criminal empire.
In a statement, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said, “Today’s action highlights the critical role of leaders like Niño Guerrero and his lieutenants in Tren de Aragua’s efforts to increase its destabilizing influence throughout the region. The Trump Administration will not allow Tren de Aragua to continue to terrorize our communities and harm innocent Americans. In line with President Trump’s mandate to Make America Safe Again, Treasury remains dedicated to dismantling Tren de Aragua and disrupting the group’s campaign of violence.”
Echoing this, a State Department spokesperson described the sanctions as a necessary step to protect national security and disrupt the gang’s growing foothold. Rewards of up to $5 million and $4 million have been offered for information leading to the arrests of Guerrero and Romero, respectively.
Under the new sanctions, all property and financial interests of the six individuals within US jurisdiction are frozen. US persons are also prohibited from engaging in transactions with them or any entities in which they hold a 50% or greater interest.
