Federal prosecutors lodged terrorism charges against an alleged high-ranking Tren de Aragua leader, marking the first time the Trump administration has indicted a member of the gang on terrorism-related crimes.
Jose Enrique Martinez Flores, a 24-year-old Venezuelan national and alleged kingpin for Tren de Aragua (TdA), is charged in the Southern District of Texas with providing material support to a designated foreign terrorist organization, distribution of cocaine in Colombia intended for distribution in the United States, among other alleged crimes, according to a Wednesday press release by the Department of Justice.
The Trump administration celebrated the unsealed indictments, which marked the latest blow the White House has taken against TdA, a Venezuela-based international crime syndicate.
“TdA is not a street gang – it is a highly structured terrorist organization that put down roots in our country during the prior administration,” Attorney General Pam Bondi said in a prepared statement. “Today’s charges represent an inflection point in how this Department of Justice will prosecute and ultimately dismantle this evil organization, which has destroyed American families and poisoned our communities.”
Martinez Flores, also known as “Chiqui,” is allegedly a high-ranking TdA leader in Colombia’s capital city of Bogota and is part of the “inner circle” of the gang’s senior leadership, according to the DOJ.
Colombia law enforcement apprehended Martinez Flores on March 31 in Colombia, pursuant to a provisional arrest warrant U.S. authorities requested, and he will remain in the South American county’s custody pending further proceedings, according to the DOJ. The alleged Venezuelan gangbanger allegedly facilitated the delivery of around five kilograms of cocaine for international distribution, proceeds of which were used to aid in TdA’s criminal enterprise.
“TdA is a direct threat to our national security, to our communities, and to Americans,” FBI Director Kash Patel said in a statement.
“Together with our law enforcement partners, the FBI continues in our pursuit to eliminate this violent terrorist organization from our streets, and today’s announcement makes it clear that these criminals, especially the leaders of these cartels, have no place in our country,” Patel said.
Upon entering office, President Donald Trump immediately designated TdA and other high-profile gangs as foreign terrorist organizations, allowing the federal authorities to utilize more resources to dismantle their operations. Since that time, the Trump administration has landed major arrests against alleged members of the crime syndicate.
On Monday, the DOJ announced charges against more than two dozen individuals currently or formerly associated with TdA for sex trafficking, robbery, racketeering and other heinous crimes throughout the U.S. Included in those indictments were charges against members of Anti-Tren, splinter faction primarily made up of former TdA associates.
If convicted, Martinez Flores faces a maximum penalty of life in prison and a fine of $10 million, according to the DOJ.
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