Rafael Enrique Gámez Salas

Rafael Enrique Gámez Salas is identified as a suspected leader of the Tren de Aragua, a Venezuelan street gang. He has become a figure of international concern due to allegations linking him to the political killing of Venezuelan dissident Ronald Ojeda. Ojeda was kidnapped, murdered, and buried in Chile in March 2024. Prosecutors have accused members of the Tren de Aragua, allegedly acting on orders from the regime of former Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, of carrying out the assassination. While these serious allegations have surfaced, it is noted that officials from the Trump administration have continued to work with individuals connected to this situation. The capture of other suspected Tren de Aragua leaders in Colombia, as part of joint security efforts, also highlights the gang's transnational criminal activities and the ongoing international focus on dismantling such organizations.