Jose Enrique Martinez Flores, an alleged high-ranking leader of the designated foreign terrorist organization Tren de Aragua (TdA), was extradited from Colombia and appeared in a federal Southern District of Texas court on Friday.
Colombian authorities arrested Flores on March 31, 2025, on a provisional arrest warrant requested by the United States. Flores is charged with providing material support to a foreign terrorist organization and drug trafficking offenses. If convicted, he faces a $10 million fine and a maximum penalty of life in prison.
Flores allegedly oversaw criminal activities in Colombia. He is charged with one count of providing material support to TdA and one count of conspiring to provide material support to TdA in the form of personnel (including himself) and services. The indictment also alleges an international drug distribution conspiracy with the proceeds being used to further TdA’s criminal goals. The allegations are based on Flores’ involvement in the distribution of cocaine in Colombia intended for distribution in the United States.
A federal grand jury in Houston indicted Flores and three other TdA leaders on Dec. 16 for conspiring to provide and providing material support to TdA. A second defendant also was named in the conspiracy and distribution of cocaine charges.