The Department of Justice (DOJ) announced charges against an alleged high-ranking member of Tren de Aragua with terrorism charges, the first of its kind against the gang from the Trump administration.
The DOJ said the five-count indictment was unsealed Wednesday against Jose Enrique Martinez Florez, also known as “Chuqui.” He is 24 and has been charged with conspiring to provide and providing material support to a designated foreign terrorist organization, as well as conspiracy and distribution in Columbia with intent for the U.S.
“According to information presented to the court, Flores is a high-ranking TdA leader in Bogota, Colombia and is part of the inner circle of senior TdA leadership,” the DOJ said in its release. “Flores also allegedly caused the delivery of approximately five kilograms or more of cocaine for international distribution, proceeds that were used to further TdA’s criminal goals.”
The charges stem from a larger push from the Trump administration to crack down on the Venezuelan gang, commonly called TdA.
“TdA is not a street gang – it is a highly structured terrorist organization that put down roots in our country during the prior administration,” Attorney General Pam Bondi said in a statement. “Today’s charges represent an inflection point in how this Department of Justice will prosecute and ultimately dismantle this evil organization, which has destroyed American families and poisoned our communities.”
FBI Director Kash Patel confirmed the charges against Flores, who was arrested by Colombian authorities on March 31 according to an arrest warrant from the U.S.
He remains in custody in Colombia pending further proceedings, the DOJ said.
“With Attorney General Bondi leadership, these charges are a major step in breaking the operations of violent terrorist gangs and rooting them out of American communities,” Patel said online.
The Trump administration declared in February that TdA was one of several groups it had deemed as terrorist organizations.
The charges against Flores follow a large deportation effort from the administration.
Last month, Trump invoked the Alien Enemies Act, a wartime act that had not been used since World War II, to deport more than 200 TdA members. The action is being challenged in court as the administration claims the flight carrying the members had already left U.S. airspace when the judge ordered it to turn around.