In short
- U.S. Department of State identified 10 individuals involved in a scheme that stole millions of dollars from U.S. financial institutions.
- U.S. Department of State cited E.O. 13581, E.O. 13863, and E.O. 13224 as the legal basis for the sanctions.
What happened
On September 30, 2026, the U.S. Department of State announced sanctions against 11 targets associated with Tren de Aragua, including 10 individuals involved in a multi-million-dollar theft scheme targeting U.S. financial institutions. The sanctions are implemented by the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC).
The scheme, orchestrated by Anibal Alexander Canelon Aguirre, involved installing malicious software on U.S.-based ATMs to steal cash, which was then laundered and funneled to Tren de Aragua members. Additionally, Juan Gabriel Rivas Nunez was sanctioned for alleged involvement in illicit gold mining, narcotics exporting, and violent crime.
The United States is sanctioning 11 targets linked to Tren de Aragua (TdA), including 10 involved in a scheme that stole millions of dollars from U.S. financial institutions as well as one alleged TdA leader involved in illicit gold mining operations.
In numbers
- 11 sanctioned targets linked to Tren de Aragua
- 10 individuals involved in theft scheme
What compliance teams should check
- Screen customer and transaction activity for links to Tren de Aragua and the 11 sanctioned targets.
- Review exposure to ATM cash-out typologies involving malicious software as described in the U.S. Department of State statement.
- Update sanctions compliance programs to include E.O. 13581, E.O. 13863, and E.O. 13224 as referenced in the U.S. Department of State announcement.
Why it matters
This action highlights the U.S. government’s commitment to targeting transnational criminal organizations and their financial networks. The sanctions against Tren de Aragua and its affiliates underscore the importance of robust screening for sanctioned entities and typologies such as ATM cash-out schemes. Compliance officers must ensure their institutions are not inadvertently facilitating money laundering or terrorist financing linked to these groups, and must update their controls to reflect the latest legal authorities and targeted individuals.
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