Colombia captures a suspected Tren de Aragua gang leader as US security ties deepen
The arrest follows a U.S. request for extradition on terrorism, money laundering and drug trafficking allegations, officials said.
- On Thursday, Colombian President Abelardo de la Espriella announced the capture of Luis Nieto, an alleged senior leader of Tren Aragua known as "Nairobi," arrested in Fontibón, Bogotá.
- Originating as a prison gang in Tocorón, Tren Aragua expanded across South America and Central America into the United States, which designated the group a foreign terrorist organization in February 2025.
- Nieto allegedly coordinated international arms and drug trafficking across the region, according to the president; he served as the gang's leader in Peru and trusted associate of Hctor Rusthenford Guerrero Flores, known as "Niño Guerrero."
- President Abelardo declared "Colombia will not be a refuge or sanctuary for any criminal," pledging to pursue offenders to justice; The State Department offers up to $5 million for information on "Niño Guerrero."
- Authorities have not disclosed specific charges or which jurisdiction handles the case; while Peruvian media reported the detention, officials have not confirmed whether the United States submitted an extradition request.
47 Articles
47 Articles
Colombia captures a suspected Tren de Aragua gang leader as US securit
Colombia's President Abelardo De la Espriella announces a joint effort with Bogota's Mayor Carlos Fernando Galan to strengthen security in the Colombian capital through increased police presence, intelligence, technology, and urban capabilities in Bogota, Tuesday, Aug. 25, 2026. (AP Photo/Fernando Vergara)
Associated Press News
Colombia captures a suspected Tren de Aragua gang leader as US security ties deepen
The United States Southern Command says that Colombian security forces captured a suspected senior leader of the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua.
By Rocío Muñoz-Ledo, CNN en Español Colombian authorities captured in Bogotá Luis Saúl Pérez Nieto, alias Páez or Nairobi, designated as head of the Aragua Train in Peru and a trusted man of alias Niño Guerrero, Colombian President Abelardo de la Espriella reported on Thursday. “Our Public Forces captured in Fontibón (Bogotá), Luis Saúl Pérez Nieto, alias Páez or Nairobi, chief leader of the Aragua Train in Peru and a trusted man of alias Niño G…
Colombian authorities captured Luis Saúl Pérez Nieto, accused of being a leader of the Aragua Train in Peru and a trusted man of the founder of that criminal gang, alias Niño Guerrero, who died last June in an operation in Venezuela.
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