First Tren de Aragua gang member extradited to US on historic terrorism charges appears before Houston judge

Jose Enrique Martinez Flores, an alleged elder person of the Venezuelan Tren de Argua (TdA) gang, appeared earlier a justice successful Houston Friday pursuing extradition from Colombia successful a historical archetypal for cartel prosecutions.

Martinez Flores, besides known arsenic Chuqui, was allegedly portion of TdA's "inner circle," according to the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ). He is the archetypal alleged TdA subordinate extradited to the U.S. connected terrorism-related charges since the pack was designated a overseas violent enactment (FTO) successful 2025.

"This is simply a archetypal of its kind, which is important. I think, arsenic everyone knows, successful 2025 with the caller medication these cartels are present designated arsenic overseas violent organizations. Not lone does that springiness america much absorption and attraction connected these groups but it gives america much resources, much quality to scope these individuals successful their location countries, that's wherefore this is truthful significant," Jason Hudson, FBI Special Agent successful Charge successful Houston, said during a Friday quality conference.

"Mr. Martines Flores was the archetypal TdA subordinate to beryllium charged with worldly enactment of terrorism. Mr. Martines Flores is besides the archetypal TdA subordinate thay has been extradited to the United States to look those charges successful our country," Hudson continued.

FBI Special Agent successful Charge successful Houston Jason Hudson briefs reporters connected the apprehension and indictment of Tren de Aragua pack person Jose Enrique Martinez Flores 5/16/26. (Fox News)

DOJ INDICTS ALLEGED HIGH-RANKING TREN DE ARAGUA MEMBER ON TERRORISM CHARGES FOR THE FIRST TIME

Colombian authorities arrested the 24-year-old Martinez Flores successful Colombia connected March 31 aft U.S. authorities issued an apprehension warrant for him. He appeared successful beforehand of U.S. Magistrate Judge Christina A. Bryan Friday greeting to look charges of conspiring to supply worldly enactment to a violent enactment and providing worldly enactment to a violent organization.

17 members of Venezuela's Tren de Aragua pack and members of the MS-13 gang, who were deported to El Salvador by the US successful San Salvador, El Salvador connected March 31, 2025. (El Salvador Press Presidency Office/Anadolu via Getty Images))

Martinez Flores' indictment alleges his engagement successful an planetary cause organisation conspiracy via the organisation of 5 kilograms of cocaine oregon much intended for organisation successful the United States. The indictment alleges the proceeds were utilized to further TdA’s transgression goals.

The Trump medication designated TdA arsenic an FTO connected Trump's archetypal time successful bureau of his 2nd word successful a sweeping enforcement bid that besides branded each planetary cartels arsenic FTO.

FBI Director Kash Patel said a high-ranking Tren de Aguaga pack subordinate has been flown to Houston from Colombia to look national charges. (Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images)

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"Today's extradition sends a wide message: nether President Trump’s leadership, overseas violent organizations similar Tren de Aragua volition beryllium hunted down and brought to justice," FBI Director Kash Patel said successful a connection to Fox News Digital.

Fox News Digital's Louis Casiano contributed to this report.