U.S. Treasury Sanctions Money Laundering Network Supporting Venezuelan Terrorist Group Tren de Aragua

Treasury Targets Tren de Aragua Affiliates

The U.S. Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) announced on Wednesday, December 3, 2025, sanctions against a money laundering network accused of providing extensive support to the Venezuelan terrorist organization Tren de Aragua (TdA). This action is part of ongoing efforts to disrupt the financial operations of transnational criminal organizations.

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent emphasized the administration's commitment, stating, 'Under President Trump, barbaric terrorist cartels can no longer operate with impunity across our borders. The Tren de Aragua network's narcotrafficking and human smuggling operations have long posed a grave threat to our nation.' He added that the U.S. would 'continue to use every tool to cut off these terrorists from the U.S. and global financial system and keep American citizens safe.'

Key Individuals and Entities Sanctioned

The sanctions specifically target several individuals and entities identified as crucial to TdA's illicit financial activities:

• Venezuelan entertainer Jimena Romina Araya Navarro, also known as 'Rosita,' was designated as part of a network of five individuals from the entertainment industry providing material support to TdA. 'Rosita' is reportedly romantically linked to TdA leader Hector Rusthenford Guerrero Flores (a.k.a. 'Niño Guerrero') and allegedly helped him escape from Tocorón prison in 2012. She is also accused of remitting a portion of her performance revenues to TdA leadership.
• Kenffersso Jhosue Sevilla Arteaga (a.k.a. 'El Flipper'), described as 'Niño Guerrero's' right-hand man and a financial leader for TdA, was also sanctioned. 'El Flipper,' arrested in Cucuta, Colombia, in November 2025, was involved in extortions, kidnappings, and homicides, utilizing shell businesses and organizing illegal rents across multiple countries.
• Other sanctioned TdA cell leaders and lieutenants include Richard Jose Espinal Quintero, Noe Manases Aponte Cordova, and Asdrubal Rafael Escobar Cabrera.
• Cheison Royer Guerrero Palma, 'Niño Guerrero's' half-brother, was sanctioned for his alleged involvement in TdA's expansion efforts in Chile.
• Entities sanctioned include Yakera y Lane SAS (Colombia), Eryk Producciones SAS (Colombia), Global Import Solutions S.A. (Venezuela), and Maiquetia VIP Bar Restaurant (Bogota, Colombia), all linked to the money laundering network.

The Rise of Tren de Aragua

Tren de Aragua originated as a prison gang in Aragua, Venezuela, and has since expanded its operations throughout the Western Hemisphere. The organization engages in a wide array of criminal activities, including drug trafficking, migrant smuggling, human trafficking, extortion, sexual exploitation of women and children, money laundering, and murder-for-hire.

The U.S. Treasury previously designated TdA as a significant transnational criminal organization on July 11, 2024. Furthermore, the U.S. Department of State designated TdA as a Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO) and Specially Designated Global Terrorist (SDGT) on February 20, 2025.

Increased Reward for TdA Leader

In conjunction with these sanctions, the U.S. Department of State announced an increase in the reward offer under the Transnational Organized Crime Rewards Program to up to $5 million. This reward is for information leading to the arrest and/or conviction of Giovanni Vicente Mosquera Serrano, a senior leader of TdA and the first alleged member of the group to be placed on the FBI's 'most wanted' list.