US brings first terrorism charges against alleged Venezuelan gang member

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WASHINGTON (Reuters) – The U.S. on Wednesday added terrorism-related charges to its criminal case against an alleged high-ranking member of Tren de Aragua, the first time U.S. authorities have used those charges against the Venezuelan street gang.

Jose Enrique Martinez Flores was charged in a new indictment with conspiring to provide and providing material support to a foreign terrorist organization, according to a court filing.

“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,” Attorney General Pam Bondi said in a statement.

In February, the U.S. designated Tren de Aragua and other transnational gangs as terrorist organizations. Under President Donald Trump’s crackdown on immigrant gangs, the administration has also sought to use wartime powers to deport alleged members of the gang, sparking court fights around the country.

Martinez Flores also faces international cocaine distribution charges, according to the indictment, filed in federal court in south Texas.

He was initially arrested in Colombia in March at the direction of the U.S. He remains in custody in Colombia pending further proceedings, according to a Justice Department statement.

Attorney information for Martinez Flores was not immediately available.

(Reporting by Andrew Goudsward; Editing by David Gregorio)