U.S. sanctions six Tren de Aragua leaders for violent crimes
- The U.S. Treasury sanctioned six top leaders of Tren de Aragua as part of an ongoing effort to combat transnational crime.
- Hector Rusthenford Guerrero, the gang's leader, is accused of transforming it into a powerful criminal organization with a regional threat.
- The U.S. aims to protect communities and public safety by disrupting the gang's activities through these sanctions.
On July 17, 2025, the United States Treasury Department imposed sanctions on six leaders of the Venezuelan criminal organization Tren de Aragua, including the gang's head, Hector Rusthenford Guerrero Flores, also known as 'Niño Guerrero.' The sanctions target individuals accused of participating in a range of violent and illicit activities, including extortion, drug trafficking, and human smuggling, as the U.S. administration aims to disrupt criminal organizations threatening national security. Guerrero, who transformed Tren de Aragua from a prison gang into a transnational threat, has a reward of up to $5 million for information leading to his arrest or conviction. Alongside Guerrero, five other key figures were sanctioned, reflecting a broader initiative to combat international criminal activity linked to the gang's influence across the Western Hemisphere. Reports indicate that Tren de Aragua has exponentially increased its operations, operating in countries such as Colombia and Chile, with some members allegedly infiltrating the U.S. Public officials remain concerned about the gang's involvement in violent crimes and the potential security risks it poses domestically and internationally. The sanctions freeze any U.S. assets of the designated individuals and bar American businesses from engaging with them, highlighting a commitment to countering criminal enterprises and protecting public safety from organized violence.