United States and Colombia offer up to $12 million for leaders of the Aragua Train

The rewards are for the capture of El Niño Guerrero, Johan Petrica and Giovanny / Photo: El Impulso

The U.S. Department of State, in conjunction with the Colombian Department of Justice (DOJ), announced Thursday that it has offered a total of $12 million in exchange for information leading to the arrest and/or conviction of three leaders of the Tren de Aragua transnational criminal organization.

The rewards, which are part of the Transnational Organized Crime Rewards Program, are divided as follows:

1. Hector Rusthenford Guerrero, alias “Niño Guerrero”: Up to $5 million
2. Yohan José Romero, alias «Johan Petrica»: Up to $4 million
3. Giovanny San Vicente, alias “Giovanny”, alias “Old Man”, alias “El Viejo”: Up to $3 million

The Colombian National Police (PNC) has made significant progress in dismantling the Tren de Aragua gang in its territory. Over the past year, they have arrested numerous leaders and violent members of the group, including Salomón Fernández Torres, alias “El Salomón” and Larry Álvarez Núñez, alias “Larry Changa,” the U.S. institution said in a statement.

The Tren de Aragua, which emerged as a prison gang in Venezuela, has become a significant security threat in South America. Under the leadership of Niño GuerreroThe group’s criminal network has expanded across the continent, even reaching Central America and the United States in recent years.

Colombian authorities believe Niño Guerrero and Giovanny are currently in Colombia, while Johan Petrica, co-founder of the Tren de Aragua, is believed to be in Venezuela.

Barquisimeto / Momentum