Treasury Announces Sanctions on Tren de Aragua Leader

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The U.S. Treasury unveiled sanctions against Tren de Aragua leader Giovanni Vicente Mosquera Serrano on June 24, as the federal government continues to crack down on the terrorist organization’s operations within the United States.

“Mosquera Serrano has overseen narcotics trafficking efforts and murders on behalf of the gang in Colombia,” a Treasury spokesperson said in an email. ”Mosquera Serrano has additionally been responsible for extortion efforts on Tren de Aragua’s behalf and has managed the financial proceeds of the gang’s criminal activities.”

Tren de Aragua was designated as a foreign terrorist organization by the U.S. State Department on Feb. 20, and is accused by the Treasury in its statement of being involved with human smuggling and trafficking, including sexual exploitation of children and women, extortion, illicit drug trading, and money laundering.

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“Tren de Aragua remains focused on terrorizing our communities and facilitating the flow of illicit narcotics into our country, relying on key leaders like Mosquera Serrano to finance and oversee their violent operations,” Secretary of the Treasury Scott Bessent wrote in a statement. “Treasury, in close coordination with our partners in U.S. law enforcement, will continue to use all available tools to disrupt the group’s criminal enterprise and Make America Safe Again.”

According to the new sanctions issued by the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control, all of Mosquera Serrano’s property and interests in property within the United States, or that are in the control or possession of an American person, are blocked and must be reported. Any entities in which Mosquera Serrano holds 50 percent ownership are also blocked unless otherwise authorized. All transactions by U.S. nationals or within the United States involving Mosquera Serrano’s property or interests in property are also prohibited.

The Treasury went on to warn financial institutions and other persons that they risk being sanctioned themselves for engaging in activities and transactions involving Mosquera Serrano, including secondary sanctions affecting their ability to participate in foreign financial institutions.

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Prohibited actions include providing any funds, goods, or services for his benefit or receiving any funds, goods, or services from him.

“Violations of U.S. sanctions may result in the imposition of civil or criminal penalties on U.S. and foreign persons,” the Treasury stated. “The Office of Foreign Assets Control may impose civil penalties for sanctions violations on a strict liability basis.”

Mosquera Serrano is also on the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s (FBI) top 10 Most Wanted list. He’s been charged by the Department of Justice with drug trafficking and terrorism-related criminal activity, and the State Department is offering a reward of $3 million through the Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs’ Transnational Organized Crime Rewards Program for information leading to Mosquera Serrano’s arrest or conviction.