Peru: Alleged Leader of Tren de Aragua Arrested in Chile with FBI Support

Sunday 30 August 2026 - 09:38

An operation conducted in Lima by Peruvian, Chilean, and American authorities has led to the arrest of a suspected leader of the Tren de Aragua wanted in Chile. This arrest highlights the strengthening of regional cooperation against transnational criminal networks.

Police cooperation among several South American countries has dealt another blow to one of the most monitored criminal networks in the region. Peruvian police arrested a Venezuelan national in Lima on Saturday, presented as the leader of the Tren de Aragua in Chile.

The operation was conducted with the assistance of the Chilean Investigative Police (PDI) and the American FBI. The suspect, identified as Ibelmery Adon Colina Maldonado, alias "R15", is 48 years old.

An Arrest in Northern Lima

The apprehension took place in the morning in the district of San Martín de Porres, north of the Peruvian capital.

According to Peruvian authorities, the man was in possession of false documents and had entered Peru illegally from Chile. He was being sought as part of an investigation into the alleged kidnapping and detention of a Venezuelan national in Chile.

Peruvian Interior Minister César Astudillo confirmed the operation and announced that the suspect would be expelled to Chile.

An Investigation Across Borders

The arrest is based on collaboration between the security services of three countries. The American FBI notably provided support to the Peruvian and Chilean authorities during this operation.

This cooperation is part of a broader dynamic to combat criminal networks capable of operating across several countries. In May, the FBI and the Peruvian police had concluded an agreement aimed at strengthening exchanges and specialized investigations against transnational organized crime.

The goal is to facilitate the flow of intelligence and the coordination of investigations when suspects, victims, or criminal activities are located in multiple jurisdictions.

Tren de Aragua Under Regional Surveillance

Founded in 2014 in the Venezuelan state of Aragua, the Tren de Aragua has gradually expanded beyond Venezuela. Intelligence reports now place it in several South American countries.

The network is notably accused of being involved in various criminal activities, including human trafficking, kidnappings, homicides, drug trafficking, theft, and extortion.

American authorities consider this organization to be terrorist, which has contributed to increasing international pressure on its leaders and structures.

A Series of Arrests in the Region

The arrest in Lima comes just days after another operation targeting the same network.

On Thursday, Colombian authorities announced the arrest in Bogotá of Luis Saúl Pérez Nieto, alias "Páez" or "Nairobi", presented as one of the alleged leaders of the Tren de Aragua in Peru.

The succession of these operations shows the intensification of efforts by South American security services to identify the leaders and affiliates of this organization.

Regional Cooperation Becomes a Central Issue

Beyond the individual case of Ibelmery Adon Colina Maldonado, the operation highlights a growing difficulty for law enforcement: criminal organizations exploit cross-border mobility to relocate their members and maintain their activities despite arrests.

Coordination among national services, strengthened by the support of international organizations like the FBI, thus becomes a determining factor in investigations.

For Peruvian and Chilean authorities, the announced expulsion of the suspect to Chile should now allow Chilean justice to pursue the proceedings related to the charges against him.