Over 260 members of the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua have been hit with federal indictments in a massive crackdown that’s long overdue.

In a sweeping move to dismantle this dangerous group, designated as a foreign terrorist organization in February, the Trump Department of Justice has targeted leaders and operatives across multiple states in just 10 months, with over 70 indictments unsealed this month alone, as Just the News reports.

For hardworking taxpayers in states like Colorado and Texas, this isn’t just news—it’s a financial lifeline, as gang activities tied to extortion and robbery have driven up local crime costs and strained public resources.

Major Crackdown on a Global Threat

Let’s rewind to the start: Tren de Aragua, or “Train from Aragua,” emerged from Tocorón Prison in Venezuela’s Aragua state, spreading its tentacles worldwide, including into the U.S. during the previous administration’s watch.

Under that prior leadership, over a million Venezuelans crossed into the U.S. without authorization, and this gang’s criminal footprint grew across at least 22 states, peddling everything from drugs to violence.

President Donald Trump stepped in with a historic first, labeling Tren de Aragua a foreign terrorist organization in February 2025, and ordered federal agencies to wipe them off American soil.

Indictments Hit Leaders with Terrorism Charges

Fast forward to this month, and the hammer dropped hard—five U.S. attorneys unsealed charges against over 70 gang members in states like New York, Texas, and New Mexico, with terrorism counts front and center.

In New York’s Southern District, Hector Rusthenford Guerrero Flores, a 42-year-old alleged mastermind, faces racketeering and terrorism support charges for orchestrating violence from Tocorón Prison before escaping in 2012.

He’s still on the run, with a $5 million reward for his capture, a reminder that justice doesn’t sleep—even if some borders seemed to under past policies.

Brutal Crimes Exposed in Multiple States

Down in Texas, four Venezuelans, including top leaders, were charged with running a gold and narcotics smuggling operation fueled by murder, though only one is in custody.

In New Mexico, 11 alleged members face racketeering for horrific acts—think kidnappings, strangulations, and desert burials—while some were linked to a deadly 2024 shootout in Colorado.

Colorado itself saw two leaders indicted for robbery and extortion, with one already sentenced to 240 months for a violent heist, showing that consequences are finally catching up.

Financial Schemes and Fugitives Targeted

Over in Nebraska, a federal grand jury charged 54 people in a malware-driven ATM theft scheme tied to the gang, with 22 facing conspiracy to support terrorism and bank fraud.

Even a Venezuelan entertainer, Jimena Romina Araya Navarro, was indicted there as a key leader, accused of aiding Guerrero Flores’ escape and running financial scams for the gang.