Alleged Tren de Aragua Leader Captured in Bogotá

Colombian authorities have apprehended Luis Saúl Pérez Nieto, identified by the alias Páez or Nairobi, in the Fontibón locality of Bogotá. Officials describe him as the principal leader of the Tren de Aragua criminal network operating within Peru. Pérez Nieto was reportedly a trusted confidant of alias Niño Guerrero, the founder of the organization, who was killed during a military operation in Venezuela in June.

President Abelardo de la Espriella of Colombia confirmed the capture via his social media account. He detailed the arrested individual's criminal record, stating that justice systems accuse Pérez Nieto of orchestrating various illicit activities. These include extortion, international arms trafficking, targeted killings, and drug trafficking operations across strategic corridors in South and Central America. The president also noted that U.S. authorities were actively pursuing the suspect for these same alleged crimes.

“

Our Public Force captured in Fontibón (Bogotá) Luis Saúl Pérez Nieto, alias “Páez” or “Nairobi”, main leader of the Tren de Aragua in Peru and trusted associate of alias “Niño Guerrero”.

This operation represents a significant blow to the Tren de Aragua, an organization with a wide reach across South America. The capture sends a strong message to transnational criminal structures. "The message for transnational crime is clear: Colombia will not be a refuge or sanctuary for any criminal. We will pursue them, capture them, and hand them over to justice, no matter where they come from," President de la Espriella stated.

The arrest is part of a broader government offensive against armed groups. It follows a recent military operation in the Guaviare department, where eight members of a dissident faction of the former FARC were killed. These actions underscore the administration's commitment to a hardline strategy against organized crime, implemented within its first three weeks in office.

“

The message for transnational crime is clear: Colombia will not be a refuge or sanctuary for any criminal. We will pursue them, capture them, and hand them over to justice, no matter where they come from.