The alleged leader of Venezuelan criminal gang Tren de Aragua’s armed wing has been captured in a joint operation involving Colombia, the US and the UK.
Colombia’s National Police said José Antonio Márquez Morales – known as Caracas – was arrested in the city of Valledupar and alleged that he played a central role in managing the logistics and finances for the group for extortion, drug trafficking, and smuggling.
Tren de Aragua has been targeted by US President Donald Trump who declared it a terrorist organisation and deported more than 250 people he claimed were members of the gang to a jail in El Salvador.
Colombia’s National Police Director, Carlos Fernando Triana Beltrán said Mr Márquez Morales was the subject of an Interpol Red Notice which is a request to police worldwide to detain someone pending extradition.
News of the arrest emerged amid continuing tensions between the US and Venezuela over the Trump administration’s anti-drug-trafficking efforts in Latin America.
It has deployed warships to the Caribbean and last month, bombed vessels which Trump claimed were carrying drugs, apparently travelling from Venezuela to the US.
The Trump administration has accused Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro of being in league with drug cartels and is offering a reward for information leading to his capture to $50m (£37m).
Maduro has strongly rejected Washington’s accusations and has defended his government’s actions against drug trafficking.