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| Alleged Tren de Aragua leader added to FBI's Ten Most Wanted list |
🚨 Treasury & State Department Unveil New Measures
On June 24, 2025, the U.S. Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) announced sanctions against Giovanni Vicente Mosquera Serrano, a fugitive alleged leader of the Venezuelan prison gang Tren de Aragua (TdA). The State Department simultaneously unveiled a $3 million reward for information leading to his arrest or conviction.
The indictment, unsealed by the Department of Justice, charges Mosquera in relation to drug trafficking and terrorism-linked offences. He is accused of orchestrating cocaine operations—smuggling at least 29 kg of cocaine from Colombia to the U.S.—and financial operations to fund TdA’s violent activities. This marks the first time a Tren de Aragua member has been added to the FBI’s Ten Most Wanted list, with a $3 million bounty offered.
💵 Sanctions Scope & Enforcement Measures
OFAC's sanctions impose the following restrictions:
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Freeze any U.S.-based assets of Mosquera Serrano and any 50%+ owned entities under his control.
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Prohibit U.S. persons or institutions from engaging in financial transactions with him.
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Risk of secondary sanctions against foreign banks found facilitating his operations.
These measures amplify prior designations: in February 2025, the U.S. formally classified Tren de Aragua as a Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO) and a Specially Designated Global Terrorist, thereby enabling these targeted financial controls.
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| prison guards transfer deportees from the U.S., alleged to be Venezuelan gang members, to the Terrorism Confinement Center in Tecoluca, El Salvador, Sunday, March 16, 2025. |
🔥 Tren de Aragua: Structure, Reach & U.S. Connections
Originating from Venezuela’s overcrowded prison system during the 2010s, Tren de Aragua has evolved beyond illicit corridors—expanding into drug trafficking, human smuggling, extortion, and gender-based violence across Latin America.
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U.S. authorities have linked cells to border cities like El Paso and Salt Lake City, though experts caution against overstating TdA’s presence in America .
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In early 2025, the Trump administration deported 200+ Venezuelans suspected of gang ties—including to El Salvador under the Alien Enemies Act. This move sparked legal challenges and was later temporarily blocked by federal courts on due-process grounds.
⚖️ Government Claims vs. Intelligence Assessments
Former President Trump publicly asserted that Tren de Aragua operates under direction from the Maduro regime, using this claim to justify deportations and expanded anti-gang authority.
However, U.S. intelligence—via a declassified National Intelligence Council memo—found no credible evidence of direct directives from President Maduro or his senior aides. The assessment noted that while Venezuelan officials may profit from gang activities, the regime does not freely orchestrate them.
⚖️ Implications for U.S. Policy & Regional Politics
| Area | Impact |
|---|---|
| Law Enforcement & Intelligence | Adding Mosquera Serrano to the FBI's Ten Most Wanted and launching global sanctions tightens legal pressure. |
| Diplomatic Ramifications | Sanctions reinforce U.S. messaging linking criminal gangs to immigration and national security debates. |
| Legal Precedents | The use—and subsequent injunctions—against the Alien Enemies Act sets a controversial legal standard on deportation powers. |
| Regional Cooperation | The sanctions complement broader efforts in Latin America, including Canada's and multilateral intelligence sharing. |
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| Soldiers raid the Tocorón Penitentiary Center, where the Tren de Aragua gang originated, in Tocorón, Venezuela, Sept. 20, 2023 |
🔍 Next Steps to Follow
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Investigation & Apprehension
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The FBI solicits public tips via WhatsApp, Telegram, and its hotline at 281-787-9939.
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Asset Tracing & Enforcement
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OFAC and financial institutions aim to disrupt Mosquera’s funding through global freezing orders.
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Legal Precedents Challenged
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Observers await rulings on lawsuits challenging the deportation methods under the Alien Enemies Act.
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Intelligence Community Updates
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Following the declassification, further analyses may reveal additional insight into TdA and its international networks.
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🧭 Conclusion: A Strategic Push Against TdA
The U.S.'s multi-pronged approach—tying economic sanctions, criminal charges, terrorist designations, and high-reward incentives—marks its most robust campaign yet against Tren de Aragua. While enforcement hurdles remain, especially with due-process concerns and verifying Maduro's alleged involvement, sanctioning Mosquera Serrano signals a significant escalation in Washington’s efforts to hinder TdA’s transnational reach.