US Justice Department sets $50 million reward for three Tren de Aragua leaders
The offer follows a superseding indictment in Texas that adds drug trafficking charges to the case against the men.
By Victoria Hayes ·
The U.S. Department of Justice announced a total reward of up to $50 million for information leading to the arrest or conviction of three men identified as leaders of the Venezuelan criminal group Tren de Aragua. The announcement was made on November 5, 2026. The reward is divided among the three individuals based on their specific roles and charges.
The Department is offering up to $20 million for Yohan José Romero, 48. He is also known by the nicknames Yohan Petrica, Petrica, Viejo, and Darwin. Up to $15 million is offered for Giovanni Vicente Mosquera Serrano, 37, who goes by the nickname El Viejo. The same amount of up to $15 million is offered for Juan Gabriel Rivas Núñez, 44, known as Juancho.
All three men were previously charged in 2025 in the Southern District of Texas. The original charges involved conspiracy to provide material support to Tren de Aragua. The U.S. government designates the group as a foreign terrorist organization. A superseding indictment containing nine counts was filed in July 2026. This document adds charges against Mosquera Serrano. He is now also accused of conspiracy to manufacture and distribute cocaine and international distribution of cocaine.
Mosquera Serrano is listed on the FBI’s Ten Most Wanted Fugitives list. Attorney General Todd Blanche stated that more than 350 members and associates of Tren de Aragua have been charged since the current administration took office. He said the group has spread fear and violence and that the department will continue until the responsible parties are brought to justice.
Authorities describe Tren de Aragua as a transnational criminal organization that began as a prison gang in Venezuela in the mid-2000s. The group has expanded its network across the Western Hemisphere and established a presence in the United States. Its activities include drug trafficking, gun trafficking, human trafficking for sexual purposes, kidnapping, robbery, theft, fraud, and extortion. The group also uses violence, including homicides and assaults, to advance its criminal goals.
The investigation revealed that the group has also engaged in financial crimes targeting U.S. institutions. This includes the use of jackpotting at automated teller machines to steal millions of dollars in cash. The conspiracy targeted or executed these attacks in 47 states, the District of Columbia, and several foreign countries. Multiple agencies are participating in the search for the three men. These include the FBI, the DEA, the Houston Police Department, the Harris County Sheriff’s Office, the U.S. Marshals Service, and Colombian national police and prosecutors.
Anyone with information about the location of the three men can send a tip to the FBI via text, WhatsApp, or Telegram to 281-787-9939. Individuals can also contact their local FBI office or the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate. Tips can also be submitted online at tips.fbi.gov.
