A narrative is circulating that seeks to portray all information regarding the Tren de Aragua as an invention aimed at attacking the regime of Nicolás Maduro and the Venezuelans. Unfortunately, this is a cruel reality where a criminal and terrorist organization strategically spreads across the continent with goals that go beyond mere criminal activities.
In fact, it is already a national security issue for many countries where this criminal group has entrenched itself, which even operates like a franchise under the dictatorship of Maduro, according to security specialists and some regional governments.
The latest pronouncement came from the U.S. administration, through its main spokesperson, President Donald Trump, who asserted that this gang is committing crimes in the United States under the direction of the Venezuelan government. Similarly, the U.S. State Department stated that the Tren de Aragua is “closely associated, aligned, and has actually infiltrated the Maduro regime.”
“Maduro maintains close ties with the narcoterrorists sponsored by the regime,” hence “he must accept back all Venezuelans deported by the United States, especially their murderers, rapists, criminals, human traffickers, and other criminals present illegally in the United States. End of discussion,” asserted Tammy Bruce emphatically.
U.S. DHS Reports on Latest Arrests
As the week comes to a close, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) reported that, with the week still ongoing, they have arrested 68 suspected members of the Tren de Aragua. The arrests occur amid a police operation to dismantle this criminal organization.
The Tren de Aragua is linked to numerous serious crimes throughout the United States. The group is being monitored for its significant ability to operate in both the U.S. and other parts of the Americas.
In less than 100 days, the DHS arrested 394 members of the Tren de Aragua, dedicated to human trafficking, drug trafficking, kidnappings, and a wide range of heinous crimes.
At Venezuela Política, backed by documentation, we have reported on the actions of this group. Below, we recall the case of José Manuel Guerra Caballero, a member of the Tren de Aragua recently arrested and processed by the justice system in the District of Colorado.
Charges Against Guerra Caballero
The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Colorado charged Venezuelan José Manuel Guerra Caballero with one count of conspiracy to distribute over 500 grams of a substance containing methamphetamine, as well as one count for possession of a firearm in support of a drug trafficking crime.
The government established that Guerra Caballero, a member of the Tren de Aragua criminal organization, conspired with six others to provide armed protection for a drug transaction involving ten pounds of methamphetamine. It is detailed that the accused organized the protection of the drug trafficking operation remotely and informed via phone that his accomplices were armed and ready to act in any eventuality.
The Undercover Operation
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) conducted an undercover investigation in October 2024 to uncover that Guerra Caballero and his accomplices were engaged in the armed trafficking of narcotics and firearms in Denver, Colorado.
A confidential informant (CI)—highly reliable—was instructed to frequent an apartment complex—Ivy Crossing—in the area to gather data on individuals involved in criminal activities.
On October 9, 2024, the informant met with someone identified by the initials L.A.P. The meeting took place at the aforementioned apartment complex, where L.A.P. stated he was Venezuelan and had many partners in Denver and Aurora, also Venezuelan.
Over several weeks, the informant and L.A.P. communicated many times, with their meetings recorded. The individual reported participating in gun trafficking activities with his accomplice, indicating the purchase of firearms.
On November 14, 2024, L.A.P. told the informant that he had a friend—identified later as José Manuel Guerra Caballero—who was selling firearms. In the presence of L.A.P. and Guerra Caballero, the informant communicated via video call with an undercover agent to show the firearms that the subjects were offering.
Following several procedures, that same day they moved to a previously established location by authorities, where Guerra Caballero identified himself, displayed the weapons and ammunition, and set the price at USD 1,200. This and other situations described in the charges formed part of a trap devised by law enforcement to expose the criminal activity and capture those responsible. Guerra Caballero was arrested in Indiana.
Affidavit Supporting Charges Against Guerra Caballero
José Manuel Guerra Caballero sold a Keltec 9mm rifle and a Ruger .357 revolver to UC1 for USD 2,000.
On January 29, 2025, Joel N. Hegarty, Special Agent of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, submitted an affidavit before Timothy P. O’Hara, U.S. Magistrate Judge for the District of Colorado, to obtain an arrest warrant against José Manuel Guerra Caballero.
He detailed an undercover investigation related to the illegal sale of firearms and narcotics, specifically methamphetamine, in the Denver, Colorado area, in which Guerra Caballero was directly involved. It was established that he participated as a conspirator in the operation, as well as his connection to the Venezuelan criminal organization Tren de Aragua (TdA) and his involvement in discussions about sex trafficking and providing armed protection services.
Hegarty, among other actions, narrated how during undercover firearm purchases by ATF agents, José Manuel Guerra Caballero sold a Keltec 9mm rifle and a Ruger .357 revolver to UC1 for USD 2,000. He also offered fully automatic pistols that he showcased on his phone.
Additionally, Guerra Caballero offered undercover agents the chance to purchase Mexican women for USD 3,000, who would be indebted for USD 20,000 to the buyers. He also mentioned the availability of local women for parties.
Agent Hegarty believes there is probable cause to assert that between January 24 and January 29, 2025, in the State and District of Colorado, the accused José Manuel Guerra Caballero conspired to possess with the intent to distribute 500 grams or more of a mixture or substance containing a detectable amount of methamphetamine, in violation of Title 21 of the United States Code, Section 846, and instigated possession of a firearm to promote said drug trafficking crime, in violation of Title 18 of the United States Code, Section 924(c)(1)(A)(i).
Therefore, a request was made to the court for the issuance of a criminal complaint and the corresponding arrest warrant against Guerra Caballero.
See in Sin Filtros “Judges in Control: The Blow of Robes in the United States”: