EL PASO, Texas (Border Report) – The State Department on Thursday offered a $12 million reward for information leading to the capture of three leaders of the Venezuela-based Tren de Aragua gang.
Simultaneously, the Treasury Department designated Tren de Aragua as a transnational criminal organization, a move that allowed the federal government to seize the gang’s assets in the United States.
Tren de Aragua members posing as legitimate asylum-seekers have been apprehended after committing various criminal acts in the United States, including murder, while on immigration parole. Federal and state officials also suspect Tren de Aragua is behind a multistate human trafficking ring, the killing of a former police officer in South Florida, and attacks against police in New York, national news organizations report.
“Tren de Aragua has been an agent of chaos and terror throughout Central and South America, and we have evidence that this dangerous gang has expanded operations in Mexico,” said U.S. Rep. Tony Gonzales, R-Texas. “We also know Tren de Aragua members have entered the United States. Tren de Aragua is the epitome of evil. It’s graphic, but this gang is known to rape children, spearhead murder (victims) and, cause widespread chaos.
Gonzales and other Republicans have been pushing for the TCO designation since last March. They’ve also urged the Biden administration to close asylum loopholes that allow at least some gang members to enter the country.
The administration on Thursday said the Department of Homeland Security is now implementing “enhanced vetting processes” against suspected gang members at the Southwest border. It also said the Justice Department and other agencies are supporting foreign governments trying to disrupt Tren de Aragua’s violence.
On Thursday, the U.S. Embassy in Bogota, Colombia, disseminated individual reward posters for Hector Guerrero Flores, a.k.a. “El Niño Guerrero,” Giovanny San Vicente and Johan Petrica. Guerrero ($5 million reward) and San Vicente ($3 million) are believed to be in Colombia. Petrica ($4 million reward) might still be in Venezuela, the State Department said.
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