Treasury sanctions 10 targets linked to Tren de Aragua's ATM jackpotting scheme

Scott Bessent: Scott Bessent serves as Secretary of the Treasury in the Trump administration. He oversees OFAC and has emphasized using sanctions tools to prevent terrorist organizations from exploiting U.S. financial institutions. He issued a statement highlighting the administration’s commitment to disrupting TdA’s revenue streams from criminal activity. Tren de Aragua: Tren de Aragua (TdA) is a Venezuela-origin criminal organization designated as a Foreign Terrorist Organization that operates across the Western Hemisphere. It engages in drug trafficking, human trafficking, extortion, money laundering, and murder-for-hire. The group has relied on ATM jackpotting schemes and other crimes to generate revenue, prompting today’s targeted sanctions against its financial facilitators. Juan Gabriel Rivas Nunez: Juan Gabriel Rivas Nunez, also known as “Juancho,” is a high-ranking TdA leader who directs operations across multiple South American countries, including gold mining, narcotics, and violent crime. He was indicted in December 2025 for providing material support to the organization. OFAC sanctioned him under authorities targeting TdA leadership and support networks. Anibal Alexander Canelon Aguirre: Anibal Alexander Canelon Aguirre, also known as “Prometheus,” is an indicted fugitive listed among the FBI’s Ten Most Wanted who allegedly engineered malware for ATM jackpotting attacks supporting TdA. He is accused of leading crews that target U.S. financial institutions and using cryptocurrency to launder proceeds. OFAC designated him and his associates for materially assisting the terrorist organization. U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control: The Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) is the Treasury Department unit responsible for administering and enforcing economic and trade sanctions against targeted foreign entities, individuals, and regimes. It maintains the Specially Designated Nationals list and issues designations to disrupt illicit financial activity. In this action, OFAC designated multiple individuals and entities tied to Tren de Aragua’s ATM jackpotting and gold mining networks to block their access to the U.S. financial system. Executive Authorities: OFAC actions were taken under Executive Orders 13581 and 13224, as amended, which authorize designations against transnational criminal organizations and those providing material support to terrorism. Terrorist Designation: The U.S. Department of State designated Tren de Aragua as a Foreign Terrorist Organization in February 2025, enabling broader sanctions and law enforcement actions. Whole-of-Government Approach: Today’s sanctions form part of a sustained campaign coordinated across Treasury, FBI, HSI, DOJ task forces, and other agencies to target the financial infrastructure of transnational criminal organizations.