Chile seeks extradition of two Venezuelans charged with Tren de Aragua money laundering

Chilean prosecutors have initiated legal proceedings against two Venezuelan nationals in absentia, charging them with money laundering offenses connected to the transnational criminal organization Tren de Aragua. The prosecution is actively pursuing their extradition from the United States, where they are currently detained.

The accused, identified as Marcos de Jesús Reyes Acosta, allegedly owned a front company within a network of firms used for illicit financial activities. Willasander Tejedor Ruiz is accused of acting as a straw man for the organization. A Chilean court has recognized the evidence presented, supporting the charges and the necessity of the extradition request, according to prosecutor Milibor Bugueño.

Both individuals were apprehended in the U.S. by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) following an international alert issued by Chile through Interpol. This led to the initiation of extradition procedures, as reported by local media. Authorities previously indicated that this network facilitated the transfer of approximately 78 billion Chilean pesos (around $90 million) out of Chile, predominantly through cryptocurrencies, derived from extortion and other criminal activities.

This case follows a broader operation in June, where 17 other alleged members of the Tren de Aragua were charged, with 14 subsequently placed in pre-trial detention. The Tren de Aragua, originating in Venezuelan prisons, is considered one of the most powerful criminal groups in the country, involved in murder, extortion, kidnapping, and human trafficking. The organization has expanded across the Americas since 2018, following migrant routes, and has established a presence in countries including Colombia, Peru, and Chile. In the previous year, the U.S. designated Tren de Aragua, along with Mexican cartels and the Salvadoran gang MS-13, as terrorist organizations.

“

The court of guarantees granted the first part of this process where it found the foundational evidence for the participation of the accused, as well as the existence of the crimes and the need to request this extradition.