Members of the criminal gang Tren del Llano pose presumably in the mountains of Altagracia de Orituco, Guárico state, Venezuela, June 2023. Photo: Social media.
In a successful operation, Venezuelan security forces arrested three members of the criminal gang Tren del Llano in Chaguaramas, Guárico state. The detainees were identified as Deiby de Jesús Díaz, Jesús Gregorio Márquez Palma, and Óscar Daniel Bolívar Flores. They were turned over to the Public Prosecutor’s Office to be prosecuted for illegal possession of firearms and illegal possession of war material.
According to the report of Detachment 341 of the Bolivarian National Guard (GNB), during the operation on Friday, January 24, two shotguns, a 12-gauge rifle, and two revolvers, one of them a Python and the other a Smith & Wesson, were seized. In addition, 16 cartridges of various calibers, three telephone sets, and a radio transmitter were also seized. This operation represents a significant advance in the fight against organized crime in the Venezuelan Plains region.
The main base of Tren del Llano is located in Balneario Guanapito, on the outskirts of Altagracia de Orituco of Guárico state, home of the gang leader Óscar de Jesús Noguera Hernández alias El Diente, who is currently on the run with his closest associates.
In another security operation carried out in San José de Bejuquero, Rómulo Gallegos municipality, Apure state, two 22-caliber rifles were seized, as well as 243 22-caliber cartridges and 334 steel bullets. The material was being transported by Noel Julián López Flores, who was also detained by the 352nd Fluvial Detachment of GNB-35.
These operations reflect the continued commitment of the Venezuelan military and police forces to eradicate organized crime and safeguard citizen security in Venezuela. Collaboration among various institutions is crucial to dismantling criminal networks and ensuring a safe environment for citizens.
Two gunmen captured
Two more members of the gang were captured in Altagracia de Orituco, Guárico state. According to GNB reports, these individuals were inside a house in the town’s Guaiqueríes sector. A 12-caliber shotgun, one .38-caliber revolver, 15 .38-caliber cartridges, four 12-caliber cartridges, two radio transmitters, and a digital scale were seized from the house, according to Últimas Noticias.
The detainees are Luis Armando Duque alias El Bemba and Jesús Manuel Utrera alias El Matón, who were handed over to the Attorney General’s Office, which will prosecute them for the illegal possession of firearms. It is presumed that the detainees are part of the group of gunmen who trained Tren del Llano members to conduct political violence.
Óscar de Jesús Noguera Hernández, leader of Tren del Llano, led violent acts after María Corina Machado refused to recognize the results of the July 28 presidential elections. The gang leader recorded several videos calling for violent protests. On January 9, he posted a video on his Instagram account showing María Corina Machado giving a speech on Elice Street in Chacao, Miranda state.
Translation: Orinoco Tribune
OT/SC/SF
