Colombia Captures Two Top Leaders of the Tren de Aragua Criminal Network

In a joint operation between the National Police and the Attorney General’s Office, Kenffersso Jhosue Sevilla Arteaga, alias “Flypper,” was captured in Cucuta, in the department of Norte de Santander, marking a major blow to the transnational criminal structure known as the Tren de Aragua.

Sevilla, identified as second-in-command and the financial chief of the organization, is considered the right-hand man of Hector “Niño Guerrero,” a central figure in the group. His apprehension represents a significant setback for a network that has expanded its operations to several Latin American countries and even reaches the United States and Europe.

At the same time, Colombia reported that it also arrested alias “Munra,” the Tren de Aragua leader in Cartagena, who was in charge of coordinating drug-trafficking routes to the United States, marking another major blow to this criminal structure that continues to expand across the continent.

Colombia captures second-in-command of Tren de Aragua

According to authorities, “Flypper” played a key role in the gang’s finances and in coordinating crimes such as kidnapping, extortion, and homicide from hiding. After arriving in Colombia in early 2024, following his accompaniment of leader Niño Guerrero during his escape, Sevilla established his operational base in the country, from which he directed illicit activities in Venezuela and other territories.

In the operation that culminated in his capture, 10 cell phones, a laptop, and roughly 50 title deeds were seized — assets that, according to the police, constitute key evidence for advancing investigations against the network.

From the Ministry of Defense, the arrest was described as an action that “neutralizes a key piece of the criminal machinery.” The National Police general highlighted the institution’s determination to dismantle the structures that threaten public safety and operate transnationally.

For many analysts, the fall of “Flypper” affects not only the Tren de Aragua’s finances but also its operational capacity. The arrest highlights the gang’s financial sophistication and its ability to penetrate legal markets under commercial façades while continuing to operate illegally. It also sends a clear message from Colombian authorities, precisely at a moment when there is a need to demonstrate that determination: They will give no quarter to organized crime that crosses borders.

𝐆𝐎𝐋𝐏𝐄 𝐄𝐒𝐓𝐑𝐔𝐂𝐓𝐔𝐑𝐀𝐋 𝐀𝐋 “𝐓𝐑𝐄𝐍 𝐃𝐄 𝐀𝐑𝐀𝐆𝐔𝐀”: 𝐂𝐀𝐄 𝐀𝐋𝐈𝐀𝐒 𝐅𝐋𝐘𝐏𝐏𝐄𝐑, 𝐒𝐄𝐆𝐔𝐍𝐃𝐎 𝐂𝐀𝐁𝐄𝐂𝐈𝐋𝐋𝐀 𝐓𝐑𝐀𝐍𝐒𝐍𝐀𝐂𝐈𝐎𝐍𝐀𝐋

En una operación de alta precisión de nuestro GAULA Élite de la @PoliciaColombia, en coordinación con la… pic.twitter.com/fyXJFzWqzc

— Pedro Arnulfo Sanchez S. Orgullosamente Colombiano (@PedroSanchezCol) November 16, 2025

Alias ‘Munra,’ in charge of drug trafficking networks to the US, has been captured

In parallel to the operation against alias “Flypper” in Cucuta, very close to the border with Venezuela, the Colombian police reported the arrest of another major leader of the criminal group. This is alias “Munra,” the top coordinator of drug trafficking routes to the United States.

The arrest of this individual took place in the city of Cartagena and, according to official sources, he was among the most wanted criminals internationally, as he was the subject of a red notice issued by Interpol and valid in 196 countries.

Yesid Peña, the commander of the Cartagena Police Department, explained that the detainee carried out key functions as coordinator of drug trafficking and arms trafficking within the criminal network, in addition to being one of the main figures responsible for financing the group.

Among the criminal records attributed to “Munra” are charges for drug trafficking, narcotics trafficking, arms trafficking, and aiding terrorism.

Trabajamos para combatir al crimen transnacional. En Cartagena, la @PoliciaColombia capturó a alias ‘Munra’, principal coordinador del narcotráfico, tráfico de armas y financiador del Tren de Aragua, quien era buscado en 196 países a través de una notificación roja de Interpol… pic.twitter.com/gnztIBkAqk

— Mindefensa (@mindefensa) November 7, 2025

Tren de Aragua: the internationalization of criminal activity

The Tren de Aragua is not a local organization: From its origins in Venezuela, it has charted an international expansion. Authorities hold Sevilla responsible for coordinating criminal operations in Peru, Ecuador, Chile, Mexico, the United States, and Colombia. Interpol, for its part, issued a red notice against him on charges that include terrorism, arms trafficking, money laundering, extortion, and criminal conspiracy.

In Colombia, he is credited with launching criminal alliances through an outsourcing model: He subcontracted criminal actions such as extortion, kidnappings, and murders to strengthen the Tren de Aragua’s financial network. The National Police’s Gaula Elite has indicated that these illegal partnerships may have significantly increased the organization’s revenues.

Despite this major arrest, the organization remains a real threat. Its criminal network has consolidated in several countries, and its hierarchical structure includes agents capable of diversifying risks and maintaining key operations from different territories. Furthermore, the fact that Sevilla coordinated operations from Colombia to Venezuela and other countries underscores the need to improve international cooperation — including with Venezuela — in matters of justice and security.

The investigation must now delve deeper into the dismantled financial links. The seized deeds could reveal money-laundering networks, while the analysis of the confiscated electronic devices will make it possible to map Flypper’s connections with other members of the criminal group. The Prosecutor’s Office and the police are tasked with reconstructing this network to prevent new operators from taking his place with the same capacity for coordination.