U.S. raises reward to $5 million for arrest of Venezuelan gang leader

The U.S. has increased the reward to up to $5 million for information leading to the arrest or conviction of Giovanni Vicente Mosquera Serrano, alleged leader of the violent Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua.

Mosquera Serrano, who appears on the FBI’s Ten Most Wanted list, is accused of overseeing the gang’s global drug trafficking and financial operations, the FBI said.

Separately, the U.S. Treasury Department imposed new sanctions on key Tren de Aragua affiliates for alleged money laundering.

The announcement follows the Trump administration’s recent designation of Venezuela-based Cartel de los Soles as a foreign terrorist organisation, which the Venezuelan government condemned as “ridiculous” and said targeted a “nonexistent” cartel.

The U.S. has expanded military operations in Latin America in recent months, deploying Marines, warships, fighter jets, bombers, submarines, and drones, amid speculation of potential action against Venezuela over alleged drug trafficking and criminal activity.

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Venezuelan officials have described these claims as a pretext for regime change.

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News Politics venezuela gang leader U.S. Giovanni Vicente Mosquera Serrano Drugs anti-drug operation Tren de Aragua