Spanish Police Arrest 13 in First Operation Targeting Suspected Tren de Aragua Cell

Overview

• The coordinated arrests took place in Barcelona, Madrid, Girona, A Coruña and Valencia in what authorities described as Spain’s first action against a suspected cell of the Venezuelan gang.
• Police dismantled two laboratories used to produce “tusi” and seized synthetic drugs and cocaine linked to the network.
• The investigation began after the brother of Tren de Aragua leader “Niño Guerrero” was detained in Barcelona on a Venezuelan warrant last year.
• Authorities say the network was in an early stage and believed active since 2023 in neighborhoods of Barcelona and Madrid, with most suspects of Venezuelan origin.
• The case unfolds as the U.S. has designated the group a terrorist organization and conducted lethal maritime strikes on suspected drug boats, drawing condemnation from the U.N. human rights chief.