US Targets Venezuelan Gang Leader Giovanni Mosquera Serrano
The US Treasury Department has announced sanctions against Giovanni Vicente Mosquera Serrano, an alleged top figure in the Venezuelan prison gang Tren de Aragua. Mosquera, who is already on the FBI’s most-wanted list, faces serious charges including drug trafficking and terrorism-related offenses.
Criminal Charges and Rewards for Information
The Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) revealed that the US Department of Justice has formally indicted Mosquera for his criminal activities. Meanwhile, the State Department has offered a reward of up to $3 million for information that leads to his arrest or conviction.
Alleged Links Between Tren de Aragua and Venezuelan Government
US President highlighted concerns that Tren de Aragua coordinates some of its operations in the United States with the Venezuelan government led by President Nicolas Maduro. This alleged connection has been cited as justification for deporting suspected gang members to a maximum-security prison in El Salvador.
However, it is worth noting that at least one senior US official has acknowledged that Maduro’s government may not have direct control over the gang’s activities.
Context and Broader Implications
Tren de Aragua has gained notoriety not only within Venezuelan prisons but also for its expanding influence beyond national borders. The US government's actions underscore a growing effort to clamp down on transnational criminal networks that threaten regional security.
