Top Associate of Venezuelan Tren de Aragua Gang Apprehended
Colombian Police
An suspected head of the militant faction of the Venezuela-based organized crime group Aragua Train has been arrested in a collaborative effort involving Colombia, the United States, and the United Kingdom.
Colombia's National Police stated that José Antonio Márquez Morales - known as his alias Caracas - was captured in the city of Valledupar and asserted that he played a central role in overseeing the logistics and funding for the syndicate for blackmail, narcotics trade, and illegal transport.
This criminal group has been focused on by US President Donald Trump, who designated it a extremist organization and sent back more than 250 people he alleged were associates of the syndicate to a detention center in Central America.
Colombia's National Police Director, Triana Beltrán, stated that the individual was the target of an international arrest warrant, which is a call to international police to detain someone prior to deportation.
Information of the apprehension emerged amid persistent disagreements between the United States and the Venezuelan government over the US government's fight against drug smuggling in South America.
It has sent warships to the Caribbean Sea and last month, struck ships which the administration claimed were transporting drugs, seemingly travelling from the South American nation to the US.
The US government has alleged Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro of being allied to narcotics syndicates and is providing a reward for tips resulting in his arrest amounting to $50 million (37 million pounds).
The Venezuelan leader has categorically refuted Washington's accusations and has defended his official policies in combating illegal drug operations.
Associated Issues
- Venezuelan affairs
- The former US president
- Narcotics trafficking
