The U.S. Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) has imposed sanctions on Hector Rusthenford Guerrero Flores, also known as "Niño Guerrero," along with five other leaders and affiliates of the Tren de Aragua organization. This group, which originated in Venezuela, is recognized as a Foreign Terrorist Organization and continues to expand its influence.
Secretary of the Treasury Scott Bessent commented on the situation: "Today’s action highlights the critical role of leaders like Niño Guerrero and his lieutenants in Tren de Aragua’s efforts to increase its destabilizing influence throughout the region." He further emphasized that "the Trump Administration will not allow Tren de Aragua to continue to terrorize our communities and harm innocent Americans."
The Department of State had previously designated Tren de Aragua as an FTO on February 20, 2025, and OFAC had sanctioned it as a significant transnational criminal organization in July 2024. The individuals sanctioned today include Yohan Jose Romero, Josue Angel Santana Pena, Wilmer Jose Perez Castillo, Wendy Marbelys Rios Gomez, and Felix Anner Castillo Rondon.
These sanctions mean that all property and interests in property belonging to these individuals within the United States are blocked. Transactions by U.S. persons involving these blocked individuals are generally prohibited unless authorized by OFAC.
Violations can lead to civil or criminal penalties for both U.S. and foreign persons. Financial institutions may also face exposure to sanctions if they engage in transactions with these designated persons.
OFAC maintains a Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons List (SDN List) where such individuals are added or removed based on compliance with laws aimed at positive behavioral changes.
More information about those designated today is available through OFAC's resources.
