The U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) has sanctioned Tren de Aragua, a Venezuela-based transnational criminal organization. The group is involved in various criminal activities across the Western Hemisphere, including human smuggling and trafficking, gender-based violence, money laundering, and illicit drug trafficking.
“Today’s designation of Tren de Aragua as a significant Transnational Criminal Organization underscores the escalating threat it poses to American communities,” said Under Secretary for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence Brian Nelson. “As part of the Biden-Harris Administration’s efforts to target Transnational Criminal Organizations, we will deploy all tools and authorities against organizations like Tren de Aragua that prey on vulnerable populations to generate revenue, engage in a range of criminal activities across borders, and abuse the U.S. financial system.”
Originating as a prison gang in Aragua, Venezuela, Tren de Aragua has expanded throughout the Western Hemisphere. The organization focuses on human smuggling and other illicit acts targeting migrants. It also engages in illegal mining, kidnapping, human trafficking, extortion, and drug trafficking involving substances such as cocaine and MDMA.
Tren de Aragua's operations pose significant threats across the region. The group traffics people—especially migrant women and girls—for sex trafficking and debt bondage. Attempts by victims to escape often result in their deaths being publicized as warnings to others.
The organization has infiltrated local criminal economies in South America, established transnational financial operations, laundered funds through cryptocurrency, and formed ties with Primeiro Comando da Capital—a U.S.-sanctioned organized crime group in Brazil.
Tren de Aragua was sanctioned under Executive Order 13581, as amended by E.O. 13863 for being a foreign person constituting a significant transnational criminal organization.
Additionally, the U.S. Department of State announced reward offers totaling up to $12 million for information leading to the arrest or conviction of several Tren de Aragua leaders involved in transnational organized crime.
As a result of these sanctions, all property and interests in property belonging to Tren de Aragua within the United States or controlled by U.S. persons must be blocked and reported to OFAC. Entities owned 50 percent or more by one or more blocked persons are also blocked unless authorized by OFAC or exempted from regulations prohibiting transactions involving designated persons' property.
Further information on today's designated entity can be viewed online.
