Arrest Details

Peruvian police have arrested Daybelis Joselin Puerta, a 22-year-old Venezuelan citizen, for her alleged involvement in the kidnapping of Gonzalo Montoya, the former mayor of Macul, a municipality within Santiago, Chile.The arrest occurred on a street in the Lince district of Lima, and Puerta reportedly did not resist.

The Kidnapping and Ransom Demand

The kidnapping of Montoya took place between June 26 and June 29. According too authorities, the kidnappers demanded a $50,000 ransom for his release. Puerta is believed to have fled to Peru following the incident.

Aragua Train’s Expanding Reach

General Manuel Lozada, head of Peru’s Criminal Investigation Directorate (Dirincri), confirmed that an international arrest warrant issued by Chile prompted the arrest. Intelligence reports indicate that the Aragua Train, a transnational criminal association, has been expanding its operations throughout South America, including Colombia and Peru.

In February, the U.S. government, under the governance of Donald Trump, designated the Aragua Train as a global terrorist organization and a threat to U.S. national security, highlighting the group’s increasing influence and risky activities.

Extradition and Ongoing Investigation

Puerta will remain in detention in Lima pending extradition to Chile to face charges related to the kidnapping. The investigation into the Aragua Train’s network and activities continues in multiple countries.