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The U.S. government announced on Monday a reward of up to 5 million dollars for information leading to the arrest or conviction of Héctor Rusthenford Guerrero Flores, alias "Niño Guerrero."
He is the supreme leader of the Tren de Aragua (TdA), one of the most violent and widespread criminal organizations in Latin America, originating in Venezuela and operating in at least 10 countries across the continent.
The spokesperson for the State Department, Tammy Bruce, revealed that Guerrero has been a key figure in the transformation of the Tren de Aragua from a prison gang into a transnational criminal network dedicated to extortion, drug trafficking, human trafficking, migrant smuggling, sexual exploitation of women and children, and money laundering.
According to Bruce, his criminal record spans over two decades.
The State Department also offered a reward of up to 4 million dollars for Yohan José Romero, known as "Johan Petrica," one of the co-founders of the Tren de Aragua and a close associate of Guerrero.
Both, along with five other leaders of the organization, were formally sanctioned for their roles in what the United States classifies as international terrorism.
The action is part of the recent designation of the Tren de Aragua as a foreign terrorist organization (FTO) and its key leaders as specially designated global terrorists (SDGT), according to U.S. laws.
"We are committed to using all available means to protect the citizens of the hemisphere against these threats," emphasizes the official message.
The announcement comes days after an international operation involving El Salvador, the United States, and the regime of Nicolás Maduro, which included the exchange of 252 Venezuelans detained for their connection to the Tren de Aragua, in return for the release of political prisoners and American citizens held in Venezuela.
Salvadoran President Nayib Bukele confirmed that the detainees, held at the Terrorism Confinement Center (CECOT), were deported to Venezuela as part of a humanitarian agreement he proposed in April.
"This operation is the result of months of negotiations with a tyrannical regime that for a long time refused to release one of its most valuable bargaining chips: its hostages," Bukele stated on his X account.
The Venezuelan Foreign Ministry confirmed the receipt of the group but did not disclose how many political prisoners were released in exchange.
For his part, U.S. Senator Marco Rubio expressed gratitude for the "leadership and commitment" of former President Donald Trump and Bukele, noting that until now Venezuela was the country with the most Americans unjustly detained.
An agreement with profound implications
In April, Bukele openly offered the Maduro regime to exchange the Venezuelans captured as members of the Tren de Aragua for political prisoners, including journalists, activists, family members of opponents, and four individuals seeking asylum at the Argentine embassy in Caracas.
"You want the Venezuelans to return. I want justice for the political prisoners," wrote the Salvadoran president at that time.
With this diplomatic maneuver, the United States intensifies its pressure against Venezuelan organized crime, while positioning itself on a delicate geopolitical landscape in the region, where the fight against drug trafficking, irregular migration, and authoritarianism are increasingly intertwined.
Frequently Asked Questions about the reward for the leader of the Tren de Aragua and the exchange with Venezuela
Why is the United States offering a reward for "Niño Guerrero" of the Tren de Aragua?
The United States is offering a reward of up to 5 million dollars for information leading to the arrest or conviction of Héctor Rusthenford Guerrero Flores, alias "Niño Guerrero," due to his role as the leader of the Tren de Aragua, a criminal organization involved in extortion, drug trafficking, human trafficking, and money laundering.
What is the Tren de Aragua and why is it considered a threat?
The Aragua Train is a Venezuelan criminal organization that has been designated as a foreign terrorist organization by the United States. It originated in Venezuelan prisons and has expanded to at least 10 countries, engaging in criminal activities such as murders, kidnappings, and drug trafficking, which poses a significant threat to security in the hemisphere.
What does the designation of Tren de Aragua as a terrorist organization imply?
The designation of the Aragua Train as a terrorist organization allows the United States to impose harsher sanctions, seize related assets, and pursue legal action against its members on an international scale. This measure reinforces the strategy to combat transnational organized crime.
What happened in the exchange between El Salvador, the U.S., and Venezuela?
The exchange involved 252 deported Venezuelans in return for the release of political prisoners and American citizens in Venezuela. This was part of a humanitarian agreement proposed by Salvadoran President Nayib Bukele and marks an international effort to confront the Tren de Aragua and improve diplomatic relations.
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