A court has ordered pretrial detention for four individuals arrested in connection with the kidnapping of 84-year-old businessman Jorge Vera, who was held captive for eight days. The suspects—three Venezuelan nationals and one Chilean—have been linked by prosecutors to the international criminal organization Tren de Aragua, according to reports from latercera.com.
The kidnapping took place last Tuesday, April 21, in the commune of San Miguel. While the businessman was driving his SUV, he was intercepted by three vehicles in an operation that ended with the victim being forced into another car as the kidnappers fled the scene.
Following an intensive investigation led by the PDI's Anti-Kidnapping Brigade and the Prosecutor's Office, the victim was released early Wednesday morning in the commune of Colina. During his captivity, Vera was moved between more than two different locations before being freed.
Investigations into Tren de Aragua
Rodrigo Moya, a prosecutor with the Organized Crime and Homicide Team (ECOH), detailed the suspects' involvement in the crime. According to the prosecutor, the individuals played specific roles within the criminal structure to carry out the kidnapping.
“So far, they have a material role in terms of the kidnapping and the deprivation of the victim's liberty, with one of them acting as the extortionist,” Moya stated, as reported by latercera.com.
The prosecutor explained that while everyone faces charges for extortionate kidnapping, their roles varied between the physical execution of the crime and the financial negotiations. “Three of them carried out the physical aspect, and one performed the role that is key to the effect of extortionate kidnapping, which is the negotiation of extortion for the purpose of obtaining money,” the official specified.
While the link to Tren de Aragua is a central focus of the investigation, Prosecutor Moya noted that this connection has yet to be formally established. However, he indicated that there are elements that allow for the identification of a possible cell of the criminal organization involved in the case.
The investigation remains open to identify other potential accomplices in the crime. The court has set a 120-day deadline to conclude the investigation and determine the responsibility of other perpetrators that the prosecution is still pursuing.
