19 Venezuelans Arrested in Chile in Connection with Tren de Aragua Criminal Gang Money Laundering Case

Chilean police have successfully arrested 19 Venezuelan nationals who are strongly suspected of having links to the transnational criminal gang, Tren de Aragua. The suspects are accused of laundering proceeds from extortion and other criminal activities valued at a staggering minimum of US$80 million.

Chilean security authorities have long linked a surge in violent crime and kidnappings for ransom in the country to the activities of Tren de Aragua. This organised criminal group, originating from Venezuela, has expanded its operations across several Latin American nations.

Hector Barros, the prosecutor leading the special organised crime unit in Santiago, revealed that the investigation successfully uncovered money laundering channels worth tens of millions of dollars that were subsequently transferred abroad. “This is one of the largest money laundering cases we have ever seen in our country,” Barros told reporters.

The arrest of the 19 Venezuelans took place following large-scale police raids on several residential properties across the capital and southern regions of Chile. The prosecutor added that the suspects now face a series of heavy legal charges, including extortion, smuggling, money laundering, and criminal association.

In an effort to neutralise the financial strength of this network, Chilean authorities acted swiftly by freezing more than 140 bank accounts. These accounts were identified as being actively used by the Tren de Aragua gang to circulate and disguise the proceeds of their crimes.

This repressive action is not the first of its kind by the local government. Throughout the past year, Chile has arrested dozens of Tren de Aragua members who were subsequently handed long prison sentences. The Tren de Aragua group is not only a threat in Chile but is also active in Colombia and Peru. Due to the scale of the crime and its widespread impact, the United States has even designated this Venezuelan-based gang as a terrorist organisation.