The Southern Metropolitan Prosecutor's Office and the Investigative Police (PDI) are investigating a direct link between the orders to kidnap businessman Jorge Vera in San Miguel and leaders of a Tren de Aragua faction based in Colombia, according to reports from latercera.com.
Investigations suggest that the criminal organization's top leadership may have directed the crime from abroad. Investigators are currently working to identify those responsible for planning the kidnapping, which saw the victim held captive for 180 hours.
So far, the investigation has led to the arrest of five individuals. The group of suspects includes two Chilean citizens and three Venezuelans, who are believed to be part of the organization's operational wing.
Fifth suspect arrested
On Tuesday, authorities confirmed the arrest of a fifth member, a Chilean citizen with no prior criminal record, who was apprehended last Saturday, May 2, in the Metropolitan Region. According to the PBI, this individual played an active role in guarding the victim.
Hassel Barrientos, head of the Metropolitan BIPE unit, noted that this individual's involvement was critical during the captivity. “He participated in the guarding of the victim throughout the entire period of captivity, which lasted more than 180 hours, and he has no criminal record,” the officer stated.
Regional Prosecutor Héctor Barros confirmed that the detainee will be formally charged this Wednesday in Santiago's 11th Guarantee Court. The prosecutor specified that the defendant will face charges for kidnapping and for his role in guarding Vera at the various locations identified by police.
Prosecutor Barros also warned of a shifting trend in these types of crimes within the country. According to the prosecutor, the Vera case demonstrates that kidnapping is no longer exclusively affecting foreigners, as there is an increasing presence of Chilean nationals acting as perpetrators and planners.
“There is always a hierarchy and always a person in charge in each of these crimes linked to Tren de Aragua, and that leadership is not necessarily in the country. Often, they have been abroad,” Barros explained.
The 84-year-old businessman was intercepted in his vehicle on April 21 in the San Miguel district. Following days of tension and ransom demands reaching 700 million pesos, Vera was released in the early hours of April 29 in the Quilapilun sector of Colina.
While the family made several transfers to secure his release, authorities have not disclosed the exact final amount paid.
