{"id":2603217,"date":"2026-05-15T14:06:02","date_gmt":"2026-05-15T18:06:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/doj-brings-suspected-tda-leader-from-colombia-to-us-on-terrorism-charges\/"},"modified":"2026-05-15T14:08:20","modified_gmt":"2026-05-15T18:08:20","slug":"doj-brings-suspected-tda-leader-from-colombia-to-us-on-terrorism-charges","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/doj-brings-suspected-tda-leader-from-colombia-to-us-on-terrorism-charges\/","title":{"rendered":"DOJ brings suspected TdA leader from Colombia to US on terrorism charges"},"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\">24<\/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%2Fdoj-brings-suspected-tda-leader-from-colombia-to-us-on-terrorism-charges%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=2603217&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>A <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/us-military-captures-isis-official-in-syria-in-helicopter-raid\/\" title=\"US Military captures ISIS official in Syria via helicopter raid.\">suspected senior leader<\/a> of Venezuela\u2019s Tren de Aragua gang,Jose Enrique Martinez flores (\u201cChuqui\u201d),has been extradited from Colombia to the United States for terrorism- and drug-related charges-the first known transfer of a TdA member from Colombia for such federal prosecution. He arrived in Texas and was scheduled to appear before a U.S. magistrate judge in Houston.<\/p>\n<p>Prosecutors allege flores was part of TdA\u2019s leadership in Bogot\u00e1 and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/psaki-refuses-to-guarantee-that-taxpayer-money-in-stimulus-bill-wont-go-toward-abortions\/\" title=\"Psaki Refuses To Guarantee That Taxpayer Money In Stimulus Bill Won\u2019t Go Toward Abortions\">helped oversee<\/a> a criminal network involving cocaine trafficking, extortion, and prostitution. The Trump administration\u2019s designation of Tren de Aragua as a foreign terrorist institution has expanded the charges federal authorities can bring. Flores faces counts including conspiracy to provide material support to a foreign terrorist organization and involvement in an international cocaine trafficking conspiracy; if convicted, he could receive up to life in prison and a $10 million fine.  <\/p>\n<p>The case also names alleged senior leader Giovanni Vicente Mosquera Serrano (\u201cEl Viejo\u201d), an FBI 10 Moast Wanted fugitive, with authorities seeking him based on allegations that he <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3YuVZYV\" >helped manage cocaine operations intended<\/a> for the U.S., and offering a multimillion-dollar reward. More broadly, U.S. officials describe Tren de Aragua as a transnational group involved in drug trafficking,human trafficking,extortion,kidnapping,and killings,with activity both across Latin America and increasingly within the United States.  <\/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<article class=\"fn-body\">\n<p>A suspected top leader of the <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/venezuela\/\">Venezuelan<\/a> gang Tren de Aragua was extradited from <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/colombia\/\">Colombia<\/a> to the United States on Thursday, marking the first known transfer of a TdA member from Colombia to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/state-department-lists-cuba-as-noncooperating-country-over-harboring-terrorists-washington-examiner\/\" title=\"State Department lists Cuba as noncooperating country over harboring terrorists - Washington Examiner\">face terrorism-related charges<\/a> in federal court.<\/p>\n<p>Jose Enrique Martinez Flores, a 24-year-old Venezuelan national known as \u201cChuqui,\u201d was set to <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.justice.gov\/opa\/pr\/tren-de-aragua-leader-extradited-terrorism-and-international-drug-distribution-charges\">appear<\/a> Friday morning before U.S. Magistrate Judge Christina Bryan in Houston federal court after arriving in Texas following a Homeland Security Task Force investigation, the <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/department-of-justice\/\">Justice Department<\/a> said in a press release.<\/p>\n<section class=\"explore-more-section\" id=\"wex-recommended-widget\">\n<div class=\"magazine-container single\">\n<h1 class=\"magazine-title mt-2\">Recommended Stories<\/h1>\n<p>             <i class=\"fa-solid fa-play icon\"><\/i>         <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-grid\">\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/policy\/national-security\/4570265\/government-trust-cia-gabbard-jfk-joe-concha\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>\u2018Can we trust people that work in government?\u2019: Joe Concha<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/justice\/4570169\/doj-targets-dc-firearm-suppressor-ban-amended-complaint\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>DOJ targets DC firearm suppressor ban in amended complaint<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/justice\/4567524\/momentum-builds-bill-jack-smith-arctic-frost-subpoenas\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>Momentum builds to pass bill after Jack Smith\u2019s secret Arctic Frost subpoenas<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">CASE UPDATE from <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/FBIHouston?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">@FBIHouston<\/a>: Tren de Aragua Leader Extradited on Terrorism and International Drug Distribution Charges following Homeland Security Task Force Investigation<\/p>\n<p>Jose Enrique Martinez Flores, aka Chuqui, alleged to be a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/analysis-ken-paxton-impeachment-highlights-divisions-among-texas-republicans\/\" title=\"Ken Paxton&#039;s impeachment exposes rifts in Texas GOP.\">high-ranking leader<\/a> of Tren de Aragua in Bogota,\u2026 <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/rNwHxsOoAu\">pic.twitter.com\/rNwHxsOoAu<\/a><\/p>\n<div class=\"article-paywall\">\u2014 FBI (@FBI) <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/FBI\/status\/2055069160321765840?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">May 14, 2026<\/a><\/div>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p> <script data-cfasync=\"false\" src=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/cdn-cgi\/scripts\/5c5dd728\/cloudflare-static\/email-decode.min.js\"><\/script><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script>    <\/p>\n<p>FBI Director <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/kash-patel\/\">Kash Patel<\/a> on Friday called Flores the \u201chighest-ranking\u201d TdA leader ever to be extradited to the U.S. for prosecution, lauding President <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/donald-trump\/\">Donald Trump<\/a> for his <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.whitehouse.gov\/presidential-actions\/2025\/03\/invocation-of-the-alien-enemies-act-regarding-the-invasion-of-the-united-states-by-tren-de-aragua\/\">executive order<\/a> that designated the Venezuelan-linked criminal gang as a foreign terrorist organization.<\/p>\n<p>Federal prosecutors allege Flores was part of the inner circle of TdA leadership operating in Bogota, Colombia, overseeing a network involved in cocaine trafficking, extortion, and prostitution. The Trump administration designated TdA a foreign terrorist organization in February last year, dramatically expanding the legal tools available to pursue the gang.<\/p>\n<p>According to a second superseding indictment returned by a Houston grand jury in December, Flores is charged with conspiring to provide material support to a foreign terrorist organization, providing material support to TdA, and participating in an international cocaine trafficking conspiracy involving at least five kilograms of the drug intended for distribution in the U.S.<\/p>\n<p>Prosecutors allege proceeds from the drug operation were used to finance Tren de Aragua\u2019s criminal activities. If convicted, Flores faces up to life in prison and a $10 million fine.<\/p>\n<p>The case also names alleged senior TdA leader Giovanni Vicente Mosquera Serrano, known as \u201cEl Viejo,\u201d who earlier this year became the first TdA member added to the <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/fbi\/\">FBI\u2019s<\/a> 10 most-wanted fugitives list. Other fugitives named in the same indictment include Yohan Jose Romero and Juan Gabriel Rivas Nunez.<\/p>\n<p>U.S. officials allege Mosquera Serrano helped oversee cocaine trafficking operations in Colombia intended to funnel narcotics into the United States while supporting the gang\u2019s broader criminal enterprise. The FBI believes Mosquera Serrano may be hiding in Venezuela or Colombia and is offering a multimillion-dollar reward for information leading to his arrest. <\/p>\n<p>Federal authorities describe TdA as a sprawling transnational organization involved in drug trafficking, human trafficking, extortion, kidnapping, and killings across Latin America and increasingly inside the United States.<\/p>\n<p>Originating from Venezuela\u2019s notorious Tocoron prison, the gang has become a growing focus of the Trump administration\u2019s immigration and national security agenda.<\/p>\n<p><strong><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/world\/4474390\/colombia-arrests-key-leader-cucaracho-tren-de-aragua-us-support\/\">COLOMBIA ARRESTS \u2018KEY LEADER\u2019 OF TREN DE ARAGUA WITH US SUPPORT<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Since January of last year, the DOJ says more than 260 alleged TdA members have been federally indicted nationwide, <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/justice\/4563740\/doj-nationwide-crackdown-tren-de-aragua\/\">including recent charges against<\/a> 25 TdA members this week in an operation involving more than 80 firearms and 40 pounds of narcotics.<\/p>\n<\/article>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>A suspected top Tren de Aragua leader was extradited from Colombia to the U.S. on Thursday<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2633,"featured_media":2603218,"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\/04\/AP26117737667322.jpg?w=696","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[33651,538],"tags":[15918,7076,48036,65353],"class_list":["post-2603217","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-the-western-journal","category-washington-examiner","tag-colombia","tag-doj","tag-tda","tag-terrorism-charges"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/AP26117737667322.jpg?w=696","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2603217","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\/2633"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2603217"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2603217\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2603221,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2603217\/revisions\/2603221"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2603218"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2603217"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2603217"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2603217"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}