Alleged Tren de Aragua gangster first to be charged as terrorist

The Department of Justice on Wednesday said it had charged an alleged high-ranking Tren de Aragua member with supporting terrorism. The unsealed five-count indictment marks the first time such charges have been leveled since the State Department declared Tren de Aragua a foreign terrorist organization, U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi said Wednesday.

The Department of Justice on Monday also charged 27 Tren de Aragua members or associates with charges that included racketeering and drug and human trafficking.

Who is the alleged gang member? Jose Enrique Martinez Flores, also known as Chuqui, is a 24-year-old Venezuelan national. He is allegedly part of Tren de Aragua’s senior leadership in Bogota, Colombia. Flores was charged in the Southern District of Texas with conspiring to provide and providing material support to a foreign terrorist organization. He also faces drug charges for alleged distribution of cocaine in Colombia intended to end up in the United States, the Department of Justice said. Flores is legally innocent until proven guilty in court.

What penalties does Flores face if convicted? The maximum penalty Flores could receive would be life in prison and a $10 million fine, according to the Department of Justice.

Who helped catch Flores? Colombian authorities arrested Flores in their country on March 31 at the request of the United States. The Drug Enforcement Administration and FBI Houston Field Office led the investigation, with assistance from Colombian authorities and Houston-area law enforcement. Harris County Sheriff Ed Gonzales on Wednesday said his office was proud to be part of the operation.

Flores remains in custody in Colombia pending further proceedings in the Southern District of Texas, according to the Department of Justice.

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