$5 Million Reward Intensifies International Search for Tren de Aragua Leader Giovanni Vicente Mosquera Serrano

Major International Fugitive Investigation

Giovanni Vicente Mosquera Serrano is wanted by U.S. authorities for his alleged role as a senior leader of Tren de Aragua, a transnational organization that originated in Venezuela and later expanded into other countries across Latin America and the United States. The United States has designated Tren de Aragua as a foreign terrorist organization.

The U.S. Department of State’s Transnational Organized Crime Rewards Program is offering a reward of up to $5 million for information leading to Mosquera Serrano’s arrest and/or conviction. Federal authorities are seeking information that could establish his current location or identify people, organizations, properties, or other resources connected with him.

Mosquera Serrano is also listed among the FBI’s Ten Most Wanted Fugitives. His case combines allegations involving transnational organized crime, international narcotics trafficking, and material support for a designated foreign terrorist organization.

Alleged Senior Leader of Tren de Aragua

Federal authorities identify Mosquera Serrano as an alleged senior leader of Tren de Aragua, commonly abbreviated as TdA. The organization originated in Venezuela before expanding its presence into other parts of Latin America.

U.S. authorities allege that Tren de Aragua subsequently expanded operations into the United States. According to the FBI, the organization has been responsible for sending gang members into the country who engage in various forms of criminal activity.

The alleged activities attributed to Tren de Aragua include drug trafficking, human trafficking, weapons trafficking, and violent crime. Mosquera Serrano’s alleged senior position within the organization has made locating him a priority for federal investigators.

Tren de Aragua’s Expansion

Tren de Aragua developed from its origins in Venezuela into an organization operating across national borders. Its international presence has led U.S. authorities to characterize it as a transnational organization rather than a gang operating exclusively within one country or region.

Federal authorities allege that members associated with the organization have established operations throughout Latin America and within the United States. Investigators have consequently pursued cases involving individuals suspected of participating in different aspects of the organization.

Mosquera Serrano’s alleged leadership position places him at a higher level of the organization than individual members accused of committing crimes in particular communities. Investigators are therefore interested not only in locating him but also in understanding the networks and relationships surrounding his alleged activities.

Foreign Terrorist Organization Designation

The United States designated Tren de Aragua as a foreign terrorist organization, significantly changing the legal framework surrounding investigations involving alleged support for the group.

The designation allows federal prosecutors to pursue certain offenses involving the provision of material support or resources to the organization. Mosquera Serrano’s federal case includes allegations directly connected to this designation.

He is accused of conspiring to provide and providing material support to a foreign terrorist organization. These allegations distinguish his case from prosecutions focused solely on gang membership or conventional organized criminal activity.

Material Support Allegations

Federal prosecutors accuse Mosquera Serrano of participating in a conspiracy to provide material support to Tren de Aragua and of providing or attempting to provide material support to the organization.

Material-support cases can encompass various forms of assistance or resources allegedly provided to a designated organization. The precise allegations against a defendant are ultimately matters to be established through evidence presented in the federal judicial process.

Mosquera Serrano has not been convicted of the charges underlying his wanted status. The charges remain allegations unless and until proven in court.

International Cocaine Trafficking Case

The federal case also contains significant narcotics trafficking allegations. Authorities accuse Mosquera Serrano of participating in a conspiracy involving cocaine in Colombia that was intended for distribution in the United States.

The FBI identifies international cocaine distribution conspiracy and international cocaine distribution among the offenses connected with his wanted status.

The allegations place Mosquera Serrano’s case within the broader federal effort to disrupt international narcotics trafficking organizations before drugs reach distribution networks inside the United States.

Cocaine Allegedly Intended for the United States

According to federal authorities, the cocaine involved in the alleged trafficking activity was located in Colombia and intended for eventual distribution in the United States.

International narcotics investigations can involve activities occurring in multiple countries even when the ultimate destination for the drugs is the United States. Federal prosecutors can therefore pursue cases involving alleged conspiracies that operate across international borders.

Mosquera Serrano’s alleged participation in such a conspiracy adds another international dimension to a case already involving a transnational organization originating in Venezuela.

Federal Arrest Warrant Issued

A federal arrest warrant was issued for Mosquera Serrano in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas. The warrant allows federal authorities to take him into custody so he can be brought before the court to answer the charges.

The charges include offenses involving material support to a foreign terrorist organization as well as international cocaine trafficking.

Because Mosquera Serrano remains outside federal custody, the prosecution cannot proceed through the normal stages that would follow an arrest and initial court appearance. Locating and apprehending him therefore remains a central objective of the investigation.

FBI Houston Leads Wanted Investigation

The FBI’s Houston Field Office is responsible for Mosquera Serrano’s wanted case. Houston-based federal investigators are seeking information capable of determining his location and facilitating his arrest.

Because the investigation involves alleged activities spanning several countries, information may come from individuals outside the United States as well as people living within the country.

Federal authorities may be interested in information involving Mosquera Serrano’s residences, travel, associates, telephone numbers, financial relationships, vehicles, online identities, or other connections that could help establish his movements.

Joint Task Force Vulcan Investigation

The case is being investigated as part of Joint Task Force Vulcan, a federal initiative created to coordinate investigations and prosecutions involving major transnational criminal organizations.

A task-force approach allows investigators and prosecutors from different federal agencies and components of the Department of Justice to combine intelligence, investigative resources, and legal authorities.

Mosquera Serrano’s case involves several areas of federal concern simultaneously, including alleged transnational organized crime, international narcotics distribution, and material support for a designated foreign terrorist organization.

Added to FBI Ten Most Wanted Fugitives

Mosquera Serrano was added to the FBI’s Ten Most Wanted Fugitives list in 2025, becoming the 536th person selected for the program since it was established in 1950.

Placement on the Ten Most Wanted list significantly increases public exposure surrounding a fugitive investigation. The FBI distributes photographs, aliases, physical descriptions, charges, warnings, and reward information in an effort to generate leads.

The program has historically relied heavily on information from members of the public. A person who recognizes a fugitive may possess a crucial piece of information even without having detailed knowledge of the underlying criminal investigation.

FBI Description of Giovanni Vicente Mosquera Serrano

The FBI identifies Giovanni Vicente Mosquera Serrano as a Venezuelan national. According to federal wanted information, he was born on February 22, 1988, in Venezuela.

He is described as a Hispanic male with black hair and brown eyes. The FBI lists Spanish as a language associated with him.

Because Mosquera Serrano has remained outside federal custody, his present appearance could differ from photographs distributed by investigators. Changes to weight, hairstyle, facial hair, clothing, or other characteristics can make identifying a long-term fugitive more difficult.

Known Aliases

The FBI lists multiple names and aliases associated with Mosquera Serrano. These include Jhovanni San Vicente, Jhovanni Vicente Mosquera Serrano, and the nickname “El Viejo.”

Aliases can become particularly important during international fugitive investigations because individuals may use different names in different countries or social circles. A person may therefore know a fugitive by a nickname or alternate identity without recognizing the legal name appearing on an arrest warrant.

Information involving other possible names, identification documents, telephone numbers, email addresses, social media accounts, businesses, residences, or travel documents connected with Mosquera Serrano could potentially assist investigators.

Why Historical Information Can Matter

Investigators are interested not only in confirmed current sightings but also in information that can help reconstruct Mosquera Serrano’s movements over time.

A person who encountered him months or years earlier could potentially identify a former residence, associate, employer, vehicle, telephone number, or travel route. That information could lead investigators to more recent contacts or locations.

Even details that initially appear outdated can become useful when combined with other investigative information. Members of the public should therefore allow law enforcement to determine whether a particular lead remains relevant.

Information About Associates May Assist Investigators

Information concerning people who have maintained relationships with Mosquera Serrano could potentially help authorities establish where he is currently located.

Investigators may be interested in individuals who have provided transportation, housing, employment, financial assistance, communications support, identification documents, or other resources.

People should not attempt to independently investigate suspected associates. Relevant information can instead be provided directly to federal authorities, who can determine whether additional investigation is appropriate.

Considered Armed and Dangerous

The FBI warns that Giovanni Vicente Mosquera Serrano should be considered armed and dangerous. Anyone who believes they have encountered him should avoid approaching, confronting, following, detaining, or attempting to apprehend him.

Instead, a suspected sighting should be reported directly to law enforcement. Providing specific details can help authorities evaluate the information while minimizing risks to the person reporting it and others nearby.

Useful information could include the location and time of the sighting, vehicle descriptions, license plate information, people accompanying the individual, a residence or business associated with the person, and any identifying characteristics observed.

International Nature of the Search

The search for Mosquera Serrano is international because of Tren de Aragua’s origins and operations throughout Latin America, the cocaine trafficking allegations involving Colombia, and the possibility that information concerning him may come from outside the United States.

Individuals outside the United States who possess information can contact the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate. Information can also be provided through established federal reporting channels.

International cooperation can be particularly important when a wanted individual travels between countries or maintains personal and organizational connections across borders.

State Department Transnational Organized Crime Rewards Program

The reward for information concerning Mosquera Serrano is being offered through the U.S. Department of State’s Transnational Organized Crime Rewards Program.

The program is designed to assist efforts to disrupt significant transnational criminal organizations by encouraging people with actionable information to contact authorities. Rewards can be offered for information that directly contributes to the arrest or conviction of targeted individuals.

In Mosquera Serrano’s case, the State Department is offering up to $5 million for qualifying information leading to his arrest and/or conviction.

$5 Million Reward

The reward of up to $5 million represents a major component of the international effort to locate Mosquera Serrano. Authorities are seeking information capable of directly advancing the fugitive investigation and ultimately resulting in his apprehension.

Potentially useful information could involve his current location, travel arrangements, associates, residences, vehicles, communications, businesses, financial relationships, or identities he may be using.

The existence of the reward does not change the FBI’s warning concerning Mosquera Serrano. Members of the public should not attempt to apprehend him themselves.

Reporting Information to Authorities

Anyone with information concerning Giovanni Vicente Mosquera Serrano can contact the FBI through official reporting channels. Information may be submitted through the FBI’s online tip system or provided to an FBI field office.

Individuals outside the United States can contact the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate. People providing information should include as many specific details as possible so investigators can evaluate the lead.

A person does not need to independently establish that someone is Mosquera Serrano before reporting a credible possible sighting. Law-enforcement authorities can compare the information with investigative records and determine whether further action is warranted.

Search for Mosquera Serrano Continues

Mosquera Serrano remains the subject of a significant federal and international fugitive investigation involving the FBI, Department of Justice, Department of State, and Joint Task Force Vulcan.

His alleged position as a senior Tren de Aragua leader, the material-support charges, and the international cocaine trafficking allegations have made locating him a priority for U.S. authorities.

With Mosquera Serrano on the FBI’s Ten Most Wanted Fugitives list and a reward of up to $5 million available, authorities continue seeking information from anyone who may recognize him, know one of his aliases, or possess information concerning his whereabouts.

The federal charges against Mosquera Serrano remain allegations unless and until proven in court. Anyone who encounters him should follow the FBI’s warning, avoid approaching him, and report the information directly to law enforcement.

Sources

FBI — Giovanni Vicente Mosquera Serrano Ten Most Wanted Profile

FBI — Submit a Tip

FBI — Contact the FBI

U.S. Department of State — Transnational Organized Crime Rewards Program

Paula Goodman

Criminal Investigative Journalist.

https://mostwantedlist.org
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