US Offers Up To 12 Million Dollars To Venezuelan Gang Leader Tren De Aragua

Caracas, Venezuela/ILLUSTRATION UNSPLASH/Bona Lee

JAKARTA - The United States has imposed sanctions on the Trend de Aragua, Venezuelan gang which began with a prison and has spread throughout Latin America.

The group was designated a transnational criminal organization because of its activities including human smuggling, gender-based violence, money laundering and drug trafficking, the Treasury said.

"We will deploy all tools and authorities against organizations such as Tren de Aragua that prey on vulnerable groups to generate income, engage in various cross-border criminal activities, and abuse the US financial system," Brian Nelson of the US Treasury said.

According to the statement, the US State Department offered a reward of up to 12 million US dollars for information leading to the arrest or punishment of Trend de Aragua leaders.

Trend de Aragua is blamed for the increasing crime in America. Chile's attorney's office said the gang was responsible for the kidnapping and murder of an opposition Venezuelan figure in Santiago in February.