US Sanctions Venezuelan DJ ‘Rosita’ Over Alleged Ties to Criminal Gang

WASHINGTON – The US Treasury Department announced Wednesday sanctions against Jimena Araya Navarro, a Venezuelan DJ and social media influencer known as “Rosita,” accusing her of providing material support to the Tren de Aragua, a criminal organization with ties to drug trafficking and other illicit activities. The move is part of a broader effort to disrupt the gang’s financial network and comes amid escalating rhetoric from former President Donald Trump regarding Venezuela.

Allegations of Financial Support and Escape Assistance

According to the Treasury Department, Rosita, who boasts millions of followers across social media platforms, is part of a five-person network that allegedly laundered money for Tren de Aragua leaders and facilitated the escape of Héctor Rusthenford Guerrero Flores, known as “Niño Guerrero,” from a Venezuelan prison in 2012. The department also suggests a romantic relationship between Rosita and Guerrero.

“Under President Trump, brutal terrorist cartels can no longer operate with impunity across our borders,” stated Secretary of the Treasury Scott Bessent in a press release. “We will continue to use all available resources to isolate these terrorists from the US and global financial systems.”

Escalating US-Venezuela Tensions

The sanctions arrive as tensions between the US and Venezuela intensify. Trump has recently threatened military intervention in Venezuela, claiming a need to dismantle the Tren de Aragua and address the flow of narcotics into the United States. He stated earlier this week, “We’re going to start with attacks on the ground. It’s going to be much easier that way.”

The US government estimates that drug overdoses claimed over 110,000 lives in 2023, a figure Trump has inflated to 200,000 while linking the crisis directly to Venezuelan cartels. While the opioid crisis is a significant public health concern, experts caution against exaggerating the direct connection to any single foreign entity.

Tren de Aragua: A Growing Threat

Tren de Aragua originated as a prison gang in Venezuela but has expanded its operations across South America, becoming involved in a wide range of criminal activities, including:

• Drug Trafficking
• Human Trafficking
• Extortion
• Sexual Exploitation
• Money Laundering

The US State Department designated Tren de Aragua as a “foreign terrorist organization” due to its involvement in these crimes. The gang’s reach extends beyond Venezuela, with a significant presence in Colombia, where authorities allege Rosita’s connections played a key role in laundering illicit funds.

Colombian Connections and Financial Network

The Treasury Department alleges that a portion of Rosita’s earnings from performances at nightclubs in Colombia, including the Maiquetía VIP Bar Restaurant in Bogotá, were channeled to Tren de Aragua. Eryk Manuel Landaeta Hernández, Rosita’s former bodyguard and representative, who owned the Bogotá nightclub, was arrested in October 2024 and accused of being a key financial and logistical figure for the gang in the city. Authorities claim the nightclub hosted events used to sell narcotics, with proceeds being laundered through the business.

Giovanni Vicente Mosquera Serrano, another high-ranking member of Tren de Aragua, was previously sanctioned by the Treasury Department in June. Guerrero was added to the sanctions list in July, along with other alleged members of the criminal network.

The US government continues to investigate the extent of Tren de Aragua’s operations and its connections to individuals and entities both within Venezuela and abroad.