{"id":2574448,"date":"2026-02-27T13:11:01","date_gmt":"2026-02-27T18:11:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/colombia-arrests-key-leader-of-tren-de-aragua-with-us-support\/"},"modified":"2026-02-27T13:12:32","modified_gmt":"2026-02-27T18:12:32","slug":"colombia-arrests-key-leader-of-tren-de-aragua-with-us-support","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/colombia-arrests-key-leader-of-tren-de-aragua-with-us-support\/","title":{"rendered":"Colombia arrests &#8216;key leader&#8217; of Tren de Aragua with US support"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"&quot;\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">22<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Fcolombia-arrests-key-leader-of-tren-de-aragua-with-us-support%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2574448&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>Colombia, with the help of U.S. law enforcement, arrested Jorge Luis Laez Cordero, nicknamed \u201cCucaracho,\u201d a key leader of the Venezuelan-based gang Tren de Aragua, as part of a sweep that reportedly included seven TdA leaders detained in the country this week. The group is accused of various crimes, including drug trafficking, sex trafficking, kidnapping, extortion, arms trafficking, money laundering, and murder, and is designated by the United States as a foreign terrorist institution. The U.S.State Department\u2019s Bureau of Counterterrorism described the action as part of a broader effort to disrupt and <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3YuVZYV\" >eliminate violent transnational terrorist networks<\/a> like TdA. The piece notes that the Trump management previously sanctioned TdA and ordered deportations for members not naturalized or lawfully residing in the U.S., highlighting ongoing security cooperation in the region. It also references related regional security developments, such as the reported killing of a major cartel leader in Mexico with U.S. intelligence assistance,illustrating broader efforts to curb organized crime.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<p><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><\/p>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-header-search-button-mob dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search\" aria-labelledby=\"td-header-search-button\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search-inner\">\n<form method=\"get\" class=\"tdb-search-form\" action=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/\"><\/form>\n<div class=\"tdb-aj-search\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/#\" role=\"button\" aria-label=\"Search\" class=\"tdb-head-search-btn dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<h1 class=\"tdb-title-text\">Colombia arrests &lsquo;key leader&rsquo; of Tren de Aragua with US support<\/h1>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-title-line\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div id=\"Brid_2517416\" class=\"tpd-featured-video bridtv\"><\/div>\n<p><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/colombia\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"1213\">Colombia<\/a> has arrested a key leader of the Venezuelan-based terrorist organization Tren de Aragua with the support of United States law enforcement officials.<\/p>\n<p>The U.S. <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/state-department\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"107\">State Department<\/a> Bureau of Counterterrorism announced on Friday that the officials captured Jorge Luis Laez Cordero, nicknamed &ldquo;Cucaracho,&rdquo; this week. The bureau said Cucaracho was one of seven Tren de Aragua leaders arrested in Colombia this week.<\/p>\n<div class=\"recommended-stories\">\n<h2>Recommended Stories<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/justice\/4473958\/state-department-10-million-reward-brothers-sinaloa-cartel\/\">State Department offers $10 million reward for brothers leading Sinaloa cartel<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/justice\/4473678\/dhs-agent-abrego-garcia-smuggling-case-stronger-post-inquiry\/\">DHS agent says Abrego Garcia human smuggling case grew &lsquo;stronger&rsquo; after investigation<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/justice\/4473112\/biden-fbi-spied-on-susie-wiles-during-trump-campaign\/\">Biden FBI spied on Susie Wiles during Trump&rsquo;s campaign<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"article-paywall\">\n<p>&ldquo;TdA is known to engage in drug trafficking, sex trafficking, kidnapping, extortion, arms trafficking, money laundering, and even murder&mdash;fueling violence and pushing narcotics into the United States,&rdquo; the Bureau of Counterterrorism <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/StateDeptCT\/status\/2027406091303477748?s=20\">wrote<\/a>. &ldquo;This action underscores the Trump Administration&rsquo;s commitment to designating, disrupting, and eliminating violent transnational terrorist groups like TdA.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>Tren de Aragua is a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/report-joe-biden-to-strip-colombian-farc-communists-of-terrorist-designation\/\" title=\"Report: Joe Biden to Strip ...n FARC Communists of Terrorist Designation\">designated foreign terrorist group<\/a> whose members and illegal activities have been the targets of several U.S. <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/white-house\/3906187\/trump-sanctions-venezuela-model-rosita-tren-de-aragua\/\">sanctions<\/a> and military <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/policy\/defense\/3817901\/dominican-republic-confirms-drug-boat-strike-carrying-cocaine\/\">strikes<\/a>. <\/p>\n<p>President <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/donald-trump\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"4\">Donald Trump<\/a> declared in a <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/white-house\/3349156\/trump-declares-invasion-tren-de-aragua-orders-deportation-illegal-gang-members\/\">proclamation<\/a> in March of last year that the foreign terrorist organization was &ldquo;undertaking hostile actions and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/trump-declares-invasion-by-tren-de-aragua-orders-deportation-of-illegal-gang-members-washington-examiner\/\" title=\"Trump declares invasion by ..., orders deportation of illegal gang ... - Washington Examiner\">conducting irregular warfare&#038;rdquo<\/a>; in the U.S. Trump ordered the deportation of any Tren de Aragua gang members who were &ldquo;not actually naturalized or lawful permanent residents&rdquo; of the U.S. to be deported as illegal immigrants.<\/p>\n<p>The Trump administration has also previously <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/justice\/4429182\/doj-lays-evidence-predatory-incursion-venezuelan-gang-appeals-court-hearing\/\">noted close ties<\/a> between the gang and former Venezuelan dictator Nicol&aacute;s Maduro&rsquo;s regime. <\/p>\n<p><strong><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/justice\/4429182\/doj-lays-evidence-predatory-incursion-venezuelan-gang-appeals-court-hearing\/\" type=\"post\" id=\"4429182\">DOJ LAYS OUT EVIDENCE OF &lsquo;PREDATORY INCURSION&rsquo; BY VENEZUELAN GANG IN APPEALS COURT HEARING<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Cucaracho&rsquo;s arrest comes just days after the <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/world\/4466923\/mexico-cartel-leader-el-mencho-dead\/\">Mexican military killed<\/a> the leader of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel in Mexico with the help of U.S. intelligence.<\/p>\n<p>Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, or &ldquo;El Mencho,&rdquo; was arrested on Sunday after running the Jalisco state cartel for over 15 years. A brief period of retaliation from the cartel followed El Mencho&rsquo;s killing in Jalisco state, as <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/world\/4467680\/twenty-five-mexican-national-guard-members-killed-army-takes-out-el-mencho\/\">25 members of the Mexican National Guard<\/a> were killed. The region has largely stabilized, and flights have returned to the local airports.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Colombia detains Tren de Aragua head with US help<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3976,"featured_media":2574449,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/AP25349828153344.jpg?w=696","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[],"tags":[5175,15918,50403,39668,51635],"class_list":["post-2574448","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","tag-arrest","tag-colombia","tag-crime-2","tag-tren-de-aragua","tag-us-support"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/AP25349828153344.jpg?w=696","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2574448","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3976"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2574448"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2574448\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2574452,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2574448\/revisions\/2574452"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2574449"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2574448"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2574448"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2574448"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}