Criminal control persists in Venezuela's Orinoco Mining Arc

Criminal control persists in Venezuela’s Orinoco Mining Arc despite the death of Héctor Rusthenford Guerrero Flores, known as ‘Niño Guerrero,’ a leader of the Tren de Aragua gang. Guerrero was neutralized during a joint military operation involving U.S. Southern Command and local forces in the Sifontes municipality of Bolívar State.

Investigations indicate that the removal of high-profile leaders has not dismantled the illegal mining control system. Instead, criminal structures have undergone a reconfiguration. In areas such as the Las Claritas-Kilometer 88 axis, authority has shifted from previous criminal alliances to new armed groups, specifically the Grupo de Protección del Arco Minero del Orinoco (GPAMO), operating under the framework of the Fuerza Armada Nacional Bolivariana (FANB).

Local residents in towns like Tumeremo and Las Claritas report continued oppression and instability. The transition has resulted in a change of leadership within the criminal landscape rather than the eradication of illegal gold mining activities.