U.S. Treasury Targets โAlleged Aragua Train Financiers, Including โConnections to Colombian Nightlife
BOGOTร, COLOMBIA – Teh U.S. Treasury โDepartment has levied new sanctions against individuals allegedly linked to the โขvenezuelan criminal organization,โ Trenโฃ de Aragua, expanding its efforts to disrupt โthe group’s financial networks. The sanctions, announced in recent months, targetโข key figures โขbelieved to โขbe involved in laundering proceeds from drugโ trafficking and other illicit activities, with a surprising โคnexus to the Colombian entertainment industry.
Theseโ actions signal a heightened U.S. focus on dismantling the Aragua Train’s operations, โคwhich have expanded beyondโฃ Venezuela and are increasingly โขimpacting regional security. The sanctions aim to sever the flow of funds that enable the โgang’s criminal enterprises, perhaps curbing โits influence in Colombia and beyond.โ The move comes โขas authorities investigate the group’s growing presence โฃin several South American countries, raising concerns about its ability โto destabilize communities and exploit vulnerable populations.
Among thoseโ sanctioned is Eryk Manuel Landaeta Hernรกndez, alias Eric, arrested in Colombia in October 2024. โขU.S. authorities allege Landaeta Hernรกndez served as the financial โขand logistical headโ of the โคAragua Train in bogotรก, operating the Maiquetรญa VIP Bar Restaurant nightclub.The Treasury Department asserts that Landaeta Hernรกndez utilized events featuring international artists and DJs, includingโ singer Rosita, to facilitate drug sales and launder the resulting profits.
According toโ the Treasury Department, a portion of the income generated from Rosita’s performances “in various nightclubs in Colombia” wasโค directed toโฃ the Tren de Aragua’s coffers. The sanctions alsoโค target Hรฉctor โRusthenford Guerrero Flores, alias Niรฑoโ Guerrero, identified as the head of the organization, who was added to the sanctions list in July. Earlier, in June, the Treasury Department sanctioned Josรฉ Manuel Mosquera Serrano.
The U.S. โขgovernment contends that these individuals are integral to the Aragua Train’s ability to operate and expand its criminal activities, andโ these sanctions areโฃ intended to disrupt those โขoperations by freezing their assets andโ restricting their access to the โU.S. financial system.
