High-Ranking Member of Venezuelan Terrorist Group Tren de Aragua Charged in Texas

A five-count superseding indictment unsealed today in the Southern District of Texas (SDTX) charges Jose Enrique Martinez Flores, 24, a Venezuelan national and alleged high-ranking member of the designated foreign terrorist organization Tren de Aragua (TdA). Flores, also known as “Chuqui,” is charged with conspiring to provide and providing material support to a designated foreign terrorist organization, as well as conspiracy and distribution of cocaine in Colombia intended for distribution in the United States.

Attorney General Pamela Bondi stated that TdA is a “highly structured terrorist organization” that has established a presence in the U.S., while U.S. Attorney Nicholas J. Ganjei for the SDTX vowed to “uproot this terrorist gang, dismantling its criminal operations, and either imprisoning its members or removing them from the country.”

According to the allegations, Flores, described as a high-ranking TdA leader in Bogota, Colombia, and part of the senior leadership’s inner circle, conspired to provide material support to TdA in the form of personnel (including himself) and services. The indictment also charges him with international drug distribution conspiracy involving five kilograms or more of cocaine, with proceeds allegedly used to further TdA’s criminal goals.

Flores was arrested in Colombia on March 31 and remains in custody there pending further proceedings. If convicted, he faces a maximum penalty of life in prison and a $10 million fine.

The investigation was conducted by the FBI Houston Field Office and DEA, with assistance from multiple law enforcement agencies in the U.S. and Colombia. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Casey N. MacDonald and Anibal J. Alaniz, along with Deputy Director David C. Smith from the Department of Justice’s Joint Task Force Vulcan (JTFV), which has expanded its mission to target TdA.