In a joint operation involving Colombia, the United States, and the United Kingdom, the alleged leader of the Tren de Aragua’s armed wing has been apprehended. Tren de Aragua is a notorious Venezuelan criminal organization.
According to Colombia’s National Police, José Antonio Márquez Morales, also known as “Caracas,” was arrested in Valledupar. Authorities allege he played a crucial role in managing the gang’s logistics and finances, which are reportedly connected to extortion, drug trafficking, and smuggling activities.
Notably, the Tren de Aragua has been a target of the US government. Former President Donald Trump previously designated the group as a terrorist organization and initiated the deportation of over 250 individuals, alleged to be gang members, to a prison in El Salvador.
Carlos Fernando Triana Beltrán, Director of Colombia’s National Police, stated that Mr. Márquez Morales was subject to an Interpol Red Notice, a request issued to law enforcement agencies worldwide to provisionally arrest an individual pending extradition.
The announcement of this arrest comes amidst ongoing tensions between the United States and Venezuela, primarily stemming from the US government’s anti-drug-trafficking initiatives in Latin America.
As part of these efforts, the US has deployed warships to the Caribbean and, in the past month, conducted bombings of vessels alleged to be transporting drugs from Venezuela to the United States.
The US government has accused Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro of colluding with drug cartels and has offered a reward of $50 million (£37 million) for information leading to his capture.
President Maduro has vehemently denied Washington’s accusations and maintains that his government is actively combating drug trafficking.
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