Latest news with #NiñoGuerrero
Newsweek
7 days ago
- Politics
- Newsweek
Who is Tren de Aragua Leader 'Niño Guerrero' Donald Trump is Sanctioning?
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. The United States Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) imposed sanctions on Thursday against Hector Rusthenford Guerrero Flores, also known as "Niño Guerrero," along with five other key leaders and affiliates of the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua. U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent pledged to continue to dedicate his department to "dismantling Tren de Aragua and disrupting the group's campaign of violence." When asked for further comment or clarification, a Treasury spokesman directed Newsweek to a department FAQ on the topic. The Treasury department rarely explains the parameters of such matters due to concerns that it could tip off the target of sanctions and give them time to move assets or funds and avoid punishment. A Department of the Treasury sign is displayed outside the Denver Mint, a branch of the United States Mint on March 20, 2025, in Denver, Colorado. INSET: Hector Rusthenford Guerrero Flores (a.k.a. 'Niño Guerrero') is... A Department of the Treasury sign is displayed outside the Denver Mint, a branch of the United States Mint on March 20, 2025, in Denver, Colorado. INSET: Hector Rusthenford Guerrero Flores (a.k.a. 'Niño Guerrero') is the notorious head of Tren de Aragua. More// Treasury Department Handout Why It Matters The sanctions against Guerrero Flores and Tren de Aragua's (TdA) leadership show the U.S. government's continued dedication to limiting the gang's activity, which includes extortion, sexual exploitation, smuggling, and armed violence. The U.S. government designated the group as a foreign terrorist organization (FTO) in February 2025, and President Donald Trump highlighted the group as a significant factor in his decision to increase the scale and severity of his immigration crackdown. Designating TdA as a terrorist organization and freezing its leaders' assets are intended to disrupt its financial networks and operational reach. What to Know The OFAC identified Flores as the head of the organization, which has evolved from a prison-based gang to a transnational criminal group operating across the Western Hemisphere. The State Department designations of TdA as an FTO and a Specially Designated Global Terrorist group expanded the legal authorities used to disrupt the group's operations in the United States and abroad. President Trump has accused Tren de Aragua of coordinating its U.S. operations with the Venezuelan government under President Nicolás Maduro, a claim that one senior U.S. official has pushed back on, saying Maduro's direct involvement with the gang remains unproven, according to Reuters. Flores, also known as Niño Guerrero, has been involved with the gang for over two decades. The State Department in 2024 offered a reward of up to $5 million for information leading to Flores's arrest or conviction. Under his leadership, TdA grew to become the international threat that the U.S. calls an "influential organization that threatens public safety throughout the Western Hemisphere." This includes mining operations that help fund the group's activities and the importation of military-grade weapons used to establish control of territory and combat Colombian guerrillas, according to the Treasury Department. Guerrero is specifically alleged to have seized control of gold mines, drug trafficking routes, and border crossings, building links with local criminal entities in countries such as Colombia, Ecuador, Chile, and, according to U.S. officials, the United States, the BBC reported. The sanctions announced on Thursday allow the U.S. to seize all property and interests in property of the designated persons that are in the United States or controlled by U.S. entities. Americans are prohibited from engaging in almost any transaction involving the subject of sanctions or their assets unless specifically permitted by OFAC. Violations may result in substantial civil or criminal penalties, the Treasury said in its press release. What People Are Saying Scott Bessent, Secretary of the Treasury, in a statement: "Today's action highlights the critical role of leaders like Niño Guerrero and his lieutenants in Tren de Aragua's efforts to increase its destabilizing influence throughout the region." President Donald Trump in a Truth Social post from February: "It is so good to have the Venezuela Hostages back home and, very important to note, that Venezuela has agreed to receive, back into their Country, all Venezuela illegal aliens who were encamped in the U.S., including gang members of Tren de Aragua. Venezuela has further agreed to supply the transportation back. We are in the process of removing record numbers of illegal aliens from all Countries, and all Countries have agreed to accept these illegal aliens back. Furthermore, record numbers of criminals are being removed from our Country, and the Border numbers are the strongest they have been since the First Term of the Trump Administration!" What Happens Next The State Department continues to offer multi-million-dollar rewards for information leading to the capture of the gang's leaders as international law enforcement cooperation intensifies. This article includes reporting by The Associated Press.
Fox News
7 days ago
- Business
- Fox News
Trump's Treasury Department targets dangerous Venezuelan prison gang with sanctions on 6 top leaders
The Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) on Thursday sanctioned Tren de Aragua head Hector Rusthenford Guerrero Flores, also known as "Niño Guerrero", and five other top Tren de Aragua leaders and affiliates. Tren de Aragua, designated by the State Department on Feb. 20 as a foreign terrorist organization, originated in Venezuela and has thousands of members. Guerrero, 42, is credited with growing Tren de Aragua from a prison gang involved in extortion and bribery, to an influential organization that threatens public safety throughout the Western Hemisphere. In addition to the sanctions, the Treasury Department is offering a reward of up to $5 million for information leading to Guerrero's arrest and conviction. The White House previously stated many of the gang's members unlawfully infiltrated the U.S. and are "undertaking hostile actions against the United States." Tren de Aragua is reportedly involved in the illicit drug trade, human smuggling and trafficking, extortion, sexual exploitation of women and children, and money laundering. "Today's action highlights the critical role of leaders like Niño Guerrero and his lieutenants in Tren de Aragua's efforts to increase its destabilizing influence throughout the region," Secretary of the Treasury Scott Bessent wrote in a news release. "The Trump Administration will not allow Tren de Aragua to continue to terrorize our communities and harm innocent Americans," he continued. "In line with President [Donald] Trump's mandate to Make America Safe Again, Treasury remains dedicated to dismantling Tren de Aragua and disrupting the group's campaign of violence." The sanctions block the property of designated individuals in the U.S., prohibiting anyone in the U.S. from doing business with them—unless authorized. Violations can result in penalties, and financial institutions risk sanctions for dealing with those who are blocked. Foreign banks may face secondary sanctions. Other suspected Tren de Aragua leaders sanctioned by the Treasury Department on Thursday include: Yohan Jose Romero, reportedly one of Guerrero's co-founders and a close lieutenant, is allegedly responsible for the group's illegal mining efforts in Venezuela. The 47-year-old is also accused of providing Tren de Aragua with military-grade weapons used to control the streets of Venezuela and fight against Colombian guerrillas. The State Department is offering a $4 million reward for his arrest and conviction. Josue Angel Santana Pena, 30, reportedly served time with Guerrero in Tocoron Prison and helped direct Tren de Aragua from within the prison. Pena was allegedly involved in homicide, extortion, bombings, terrorism and theft. Wilmer Jose Perez Castillo, 39, is allegedly one of Guerrero's lieutenants and the leader of a Tren de Aragua cell involved in drug trafficking and bribe collection in Venezuela. Castillo is accused of executing the murders of a police officer, Venezuelan military official and Venezuelan intelligence officials on behalf of Tren de Aragua. Guerrero's wife, Wendy Marbelys Rios Gomez, 45, is reportedly linked to criminal activities including money laundering, terrorism and terrorist financing. Felix Anner Castillo Rondon is believed to be the leader of a Tren de Aragua cell known as "Los Gallegos," which operates in Chile. Los Gallegos is reportedly implicated in homicides, human trafficking, sexual exploitation of women, narcotics trafficking, and money laundering.
