# Transnational organized crime arrests in South America

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/transnational-organized-crime-arrests-in-south-america
> Updated: 2026-08-30T00:38:33.000Z. Sources: 8. Developments: 2.

Law enforcement agencies in Colombia and Peru conducted high-profile operations targeting major figures in transnational organized crime.

In Colombia, authorities arrested Luis Saúl Pérez Nieto, known as ‘Nairobi’ or ‘Páez,’ a suspected leader of the Tren de Aragua criminal organization accused of coordinating international drug and arms trafficking. Simultaneously, police arrested Hermes Julián García Pérez, alias ‘Hermes,’ in Rionegro. García Pérez is accused of managing a narcotics structure that shipped approximately two tons of cocaine monthly from Colombia to Europe via the ports of Cartagena and Antwerp; he faces extradition requests from Luxembourg.

In Peru, a joint operation involving the Peruvian National Police, the Chilean PDI, and the FBI led to the capture of Ibelmery Adon Colina Maldonado, alias ‘R15.’ Colina Maldonado is identified as a leader of a Tren de Aragua faction in Chile and is wanted for kidnapping. He is expected to be extradited to Chile.

## Claims

- Ibelmery Adon Colina Maldonado, alias R15, was arrested in Lima. (corroborated by 5 sources)
- Colina Maldonado is a leader of a Tren de Aragua faction in Chile. (corroborated by 5 sources)
- The arrest of R15 involved cooperation between Peruvian police, the FBI, and the Chilean PDI. (corroborated by 5 sources)
- Hermes Julián García Pérez, alias Hermes, was arrested in Rionegro, Colombia. (corroborated by 2 sources)
- García Pérez is wanted by Luxembourg for drug trafficking to Europe. (corroborated by 2 sources)
- Luis Saúl Pérez Nieto, alias Nairobi, was arrested in Bogotá. (single source)
- Pérez Nieto is a leader of the Tren de Aragua criminal organization. (single source)
- Pérez Nieto coordinated international arms and drug trafficking. (single source)

## Timeline

### 2026-08-30: Transnational crime leaders arrested in Colombia and Peru

Major arrests in Colombia and Peru have targeted high-level criminal leaders, including Tren de Aragua figures and a major cocaine trafficker linked to European markets.

8 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/peruvian-police-capture-tren-de-aragua-leader-in-lima

### 2026-08-12: Hungarian drug traffickers arrested in Tenerife

Two leaders of a Hungarian drug trafficking organization, listed on the ‘Europe’s Most Wanted’ list, have been arrested by Hungarian and Spanish authorities in Tenerife.

6 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/hungarian-drug-traffickers-arrested-in-tenerife

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Cite as: Transnational organized crime arrests in South America. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/transnational-organized-crime-arrests-in-south-america