The Department of State, in coordination with the Department of Justice (DOJ), has announced reward offers totaling up to $12 million under the Transnational Organized Crime Rewards Program. These rewards are for information leading to the arrests and/or convictions of three leaders of the Tren de Aragua transnational criminal organization: Héctor Rusthenford Guerrero, also known as "Niño Guerrero" (up to $5 million), Yohan Jose Romero, also known as "Johan Petrica" (up to $4 million), and Giovanny San Vicente, also known as "Giovanny," "Viejo Viejo," or "El Viejo" (up to $3 million).
These rewards are offered in coordination with the Government of Colombia and align with the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control's designation of Tren de Aragua as a Significant Transnational Criminal Organization pursuant to Executive Order 13581, as amended by Executive Order 13863.
Tren de Aragua originated as a prison gang in Tocorón Prison in Venezuela's state of Aragua. Over the past six years, its leader Niño Guerrero has expanded its criminal network throughout South America and recently into Central America and the United States.
Through collaboration with the Colombian National Police (CNP), U.S. authorities believe that Niño Guerrero and Giovanny are currently in Colombia. Additionally, investigation and intelligence have identified Johan Petrica as another leader believed to be in Venezuela.
The Colombian National Police have made significant progress over the past year in apprehending many leaders and violent members of Tren de Aragua in Colombia. This includes the June 27 arrest of Salomón Fernández Torres, alias “El Salomón,” one of its leaders in Bogotá and Soacha. The following week saw the arrest of TdA co-founder Larry Alvarez Nuñez, alias “Larry Changa.” Following Fernández's arrest, Bogotá Mayor Carlos Fernando Galan announced that locating and arresting Giovanny and overall leader Niño Guerrero would be primary objectives.
Today's reward offers are authorized by the Secretary under the Department of State’s Transnational Organized Crime Rewards Program, which supports global law enforcement efforts to disrupt transnational crime and bring fugitives to justice.
For those with information on these individuals, contact can be made through various communication methods including phone (voice, WhatsApp, Signal, Telegram or text) at +57 323 273 2168. Information can also be provided at any U.S. or Colombian Embassy or Consulate if located outside Colombia or the United States; within the United States, local FBI field offices can be contacted.
All identities will remain strictly confidential. Government officials and employees are not eligible for rewards.
