Treasury Sanctions Network Supporting Venezuelan Cartel Tren de Aragua

WASHINGTON, D.C. — December 4, 2025

According to an official announcement from the U.S. DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY, the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) has issued sanctions targeting a group of individuals and business entities alleged to have provided financial and material support to the Venezuelan criminal organization known as Tren de Aragua (TdA). Treasury states that the action blocks all property and interests in property under U.S. jurisdiction belonging to those designated, and prohibits U.S. persons from conducting transactions with them.

In its release, Treasury identifies Jimena Romina Araya Navarro, publicly known as “Rosita,” among those sanctioned. The department states that Araya Navarro and several associated businesses, including entertainment-sector venues and import companies, were involved in activities that facilitated money laundering and financial support for cartel operations. Treasury reports these entities were used to funnel proceeds tied to narcotics trafficking, human smuggling, extortion, and other crimes attributed to TdA’s transnational network.

According to the official notice, this enforcement effort is coordinated with U.S. law-enforcement partners, including the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), as part of a broader strategy to disrupt criminal organizations’ access to the U.S. and international financial systems. Treasury states that the measures follow directives aimed at limiting the operational capacity of cartels by targeting the financial channels they rely upon to move funds across borders.

Officials emphasized that the sanctions are intended to isolate individuals and entities operating on behalf of TdA from legitimate global markets, noting that these restrictions are part of an ongoing effort to combat transnational crime. Treasury’s announcement describes TdA as a violent criminal organization engaged in drug distribution, human trafficking, kidnapping, and other activities that pose risks to regional stability and public safety.

As of the information contained in the Treasury release, no additional enforcement steps, criminal charges, or asset seizure details have been disclosed. Treasury indicated that further actions related to the investigation may be announced through official channels as they develop.

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Sources

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY — Official Press Release: Sanctions issued against individuals and entities supporting Tren de Aragua (TdA).