A Venezuelan gangster who transformed a prison cell into a global terror network has been formally charged in a New York federal court.
U.S. Attorney Jay Clayton announced the indictment on Thursday, revealing the charges of racketeering conspiracy and other crimes.
The indictment covers more than a decade of violent and illicit activity that the United States has labeled a terrorist organization.
Authorities say the case marks a significant step in dismantling a transnational criminal enterprise.
The indictment accuses Hector Rusthenford Guerrero Flores, a 42-year-old Venezuelan, of masterminding the evolution of the Tren de Aragua gang.
According to Clayton, Guerrero Flores guided the group from a Venezuelan prison gang into a multinational terrorist organization.
The charges include conspiracy to commit racketeering, support for terrorists, and other related offenses.
The indictment was unsealed as part of a broader effort to bring the gang’s leadership to justice.
Guerrero Flores is described as the central figure behind Tren de Aragua’s expansion beyond Venezuela’s borders.
He allegedly oversaw operations that spanned North America, South America, and Europe.
The U.S. government claims he orchestrated numerous violent acts, extortion schemes, and drug trafficking operations.
His leadership is said to have turned the gang into a sophisticated, transnational crime syndicate.
Guerrero Flores remains at large, and no arrest has been made to date.
The State Department has announced a reward of up to $5 million for information leading to his capture.
The offer reflects the seriousness with which U.S. authorities view his alleged crimes.
Law-enforcement officials are actively seeking tips from the public to locate the fugitive.
Clayton stated that the gang is responsible for countless acts of violence, extortion, and drug trafficking.
These activities have impacted communities across North America, South America, and Europe.
The indictment underscores the organization’s reach and the breadth of its criminal enterprise.
Authorities highlight the group’s capacity to inflict harm on a global scale.
The charges against Guerrero Flores are added to those already brought in New York against more than 30 members or associates.
These earlier indictments target individuals involved in various facets of the gang’s operations.
Together, the cases aim to dismantle the organization’s leadership and operational structure.
The cumulative effect is intended to cripple the gang’s ability to function.
Louis D’Ambrosio, head of the DEA’s Special Operations Division, detailed the gang’s financial tactics.
He said Guerrero Flores laundered money through cryptocurrency channels.
The indictment also alleges that the gang trafficked drugs by the ton and sold weapons of war.
These activities illustrate how the group operated as a multinational crime syndicate from prison.
“This case exemplifies today’s threat: criminal organizations that function like terrorists and terrorize like insurgents.”
D’Ambrosio added that DEA and partners are dismantling the gang piece by piece.
The strategy focuses on targeting leadership, finances, weapons, and networks.
His remarks emphasize the multi-layered approach to disrupting the organization.
Douglas Williams, head of the FBI’s Houston office, weighed in on the broader impact of Guerrero Flores.
He said the fugitive brought “violence, murder and misery into communities and nations throughout the Western Hemisphere.”
Williams highlighted murders, violent robberies, sex trafficking, and weapons and narcotics trafficking in the United States.
The statement underscores the extensive harm attributed to the gang’s activities.
- Guerrero Flores, a 42-year-old Venezuelan, is charged with racketeering conspiracy and supporting terrorists.
- The U.S. offers up to $5 million for his arrest, reflecting the gravity of the alleged crimes.
- DEA and FBI officials describe the gang as a transnational terror organization that finances operations through cryptocurrency and drug trafficking.
The indictment also signals a broader shift in U.S. strategy against transnational criminal networks.
By focusing on the nexus between violent crime and terrorism, officials hope to deter future collaboration.
The case may influence international cooperation on law-enforcement efforts.
Ultimately, the goal is to reduce the gang’s capacity to operate across borders.
The indictment represents a major victory for U.S. law-enforcement agencies confronting transnational crime.
By targeting the gang’s leadership, finances, weapons, and networks, officials aim to prevent future violence and illicit activity.
The case illustrates the ongoing threat posed by criminal groups that blur the lines between organized crime and terrorism.
Authorities continue to pursue Guerrero Flores and other members to bring the organization to justice.
