Alleged Leader of Venezuelan Gang Tren de Aragua Indicted on Terrorism and Drug Charges
NEW YORK, N.Y. — Federal prosecutors in the Southern District of New York unsealed a sweeping indictment on December 18 charging Hector Rusthenford Guerrero Flores, the alleged leader of the Venezuelan transnational gang Tren de Aragua, with terrorism and drug trafficking offenses. Known by aliases including “Niño Guerrero” and “El Innombrable,” Guerrero Flores is accused of orchestrating a decade-long campaign of violent crime, extortion, and narcotics trafficking across the Americas and Europe.
According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York, Guerrero Flores faces multiple federal counts including racketeering conspiracy, conspiracy to provide material support to terrorists, cocaine importation conspiracy, and use of firearms and destructive devices in furtherance of drug trafficking. Prosecutors allege that under Guerrero Flores’s command, Tren de Aragua evolved from a Venezuelan prison gang into a designated foreign terrorist organization with a sprawling international footprint.
“As alleged, Hector Rusthenford Guerrero Flores has been the mastermind of Tren de Aragua’s evolution from a Venezuelan prison gang into a transnational terrorist organization that committed countless acts of violence, extortion, and drug trafficking all over North America, South America, and Europe,” said U.S. Attorney Jay Clayton. He emphasized that the Southern District of New York has now charged more than 30 members or associates of Tren de Aragua with federal crimes, underscoring the administration’s commitment to dismantling cartels and gangs that flood U.S. streets with deadly drugs.
Tren de Aragua, which has been designated a foreign terrorist organization by the U.S. Department of the Treasury, originated within Venezuelan prisons but expanded its reach into several countries including Spain, Mexico, Brazil, and throughout South and Central America. The gang is implicated in a litany of violent crimes such as murders, kidnappings, extortion, and sex trafficking.
The indictment comes as part of a broader crackdown on transnational criminal organizations under the Trump administration’s law enforcement initiatives. Authorities have intensified efforts to disrupt drug trafficking and gang violence that impact communities across the United States. The Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency has played a key role in investigating and apprehending members of Tren de Aragua and affiliated groups.
Guerrero Flores remains at large, and federal officials warn that he poses a significant threat due to his leadership role in coordinating violent and illicit activities. The indictment signals a continued focus on combating organized crime networks that operate across borders, exploiting vulnerabilities in law enforcement and judicial systems.
As the investigation unfolds, authorities are expected to pursue additional charges and arrests targeting the gang’s infrastructure and financial operations. The case highlights the challenges faced by U.S. agencies in addressing the complex nexus of terrorism, narcotics trafficking, and transnational crime.
For more information on the ongoing efforts against transnational gangs and terrorism, visit the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Department of Justice websites.
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