The Manhattan Federal Court has unsealed an indictment against Hector Rusthenford Guerrero Flores, alleged leader of Tren de Aragua, a transnational organization deemed a foreign terrorist group and connected to an array of criminal activities including drug trafficking and firearms offenses. The indictment comes amid a broader crackdown on transnational crime that saw over 30 members of Tren de Aragua face similar charges in New York, as per the U.S. Department of Justice announcement.
Guerrero Flores, commonly known by aliases such as "Niño Guerrero," remains fugitive, with the State Department offering rewards of up to $5 million for information leading to his arrest. Tren de Aragua's operations, beginning in the 2000s, spanned across Americas and Europe with ties to the Cártel de los Soles, a Venezuelan drug cartel comprising high-ranking officials. "In the Southern District of New York, we have now charged over 30 members or associates of Tren de Aragua with federal crimes," U.S. Attorney Jay Clayton stated, as per the U.S. Attorney's Office.
The crimes ascribed to Guerrero Flores and his organization include racketeering, conspiracy to provide material support to terrorists, drug importation conspiracy, and firearms offenses. "Guerrero Flores operated Tren de Aragua like a multinational crime syndicate—laundering money through cryptocurrency, trafficking drugs by the ton, selling weapons of war, and orchestrating acts of terror across borders," DEA Special Agent in Charge Louis A. D’Ambrosio proclaimed in a statement obtained by the U.S. Attorney's Office, Southern District of New York.
Within the United States, Tren de Aragua's presence was felt in areas such as New York, Colorado, and Texas, exemplifying the pervasive nature of such criminal networks. Special Agent in Charge Ricky J. Patel of Homeland Security Investigations highlighted their commitment, "Together with our partners, HSI and the HSTF New York will continue to wage an unyielding campaign against cartels, drug traffickers, and transnational criminal organizations." Moreover, a robust alliance between U.S. law enforcement and international collaborators had been pivotal in the investigation leading up to these charges, as noted by the U.S. Attorney's Office.
The case underlines the collaborative effort among various U.S. Attorneys Offices' and federal agencies, forming part of Operation Take Back America, an initiative targeting illegal immigration and criminal organizations. Guerrero Flores, if convicted, faces potential life sentences for the drug and weapons-related charges and additional decades for racketeering and supporting terrorism, as detailed by the U.S. Attorney's Office. Assistant U.S. Attorneys along with Trial Attorneys from the Joint Task Force Vulcan are spearheading the legal proceedings.
It's important to note that the charges against Guerrero Flores are merely allegations at this stage, and he is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law.
