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Highest-Ranking Tren de Aragua Member Extradited to U.S. on Drug Conspiracy Charges
Jose Enrique Martinez Flores, accused of leading criminal operations for the Venezuelan gang designated a foreign terrorist organization in 2025, arrived in Houston on Thursday after Colombia transferred him at U.S. request. FBI Director Kash Patel called the extradition history being made, marking the first time a TdA member faces terrorism-related charges in the United States.
May 15, 11:27 AM·1m read2 sources
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U.S. custody. He is scheduled for a court appearance in Houston on Friday.
FBI Director Kash Patel announced the extradition on May 14, 2026. " Patel stated that the FBI and partners extradited Jose Enrique Martinez Flores, aka Chuqui. Court records do not yet list an attorney for Martinez Flores.
Martinez Flores is accused of an international drug conspiracy and providing material support to Tren de Aragua, which the Trump administration designated a foreign terrorist organization in 2025. His alleged conspiracy involved five kilograms of cocaine or more in Colombia intended for distribution in the United States.
As a TdA leader, Flores allegedly oversaw criminal activities in Colombia such as drug trafficking, extortion, prostitution, and murder.
U.S. request. A superseding indictment in Martinez Flores's case charges three other alleged TdA leaders with providing material support for terrorism.
U.S. under Biden during a Venezuelan illegal immigrant wave. President Donald Trump pledged to aggressively target the gang on the 2024 campaign trail after it made headlines for violently controlling Colorado apartments.
U.S. to prosecute South American cartels and gangs just as it does Islamic extremist groups. The Trump administration has also bombed several boats allegedly used by traffickers including TdA to transport drugs from Venezuela.
U.S. military's capture of Venezuelan dictator Nicolas Maduro and his wife in Caracas on drug and weapons charges. The article was published on May 15 2026 by Hudson Crozier of the DCNF.
