A Venezuelan national linked to a dangerous international gang was arrested this week by immigration authorities in Denver, according to officials.

“ICE Denver officers arrested Joel Matos-Nieto, 23, a criminal alien from Venezuela and member of the international gang Tren de Aragua with a final order of removal April 23,” U.S. Customs and Immigration (ICE) Denver announced Friday. “Matos has convictions for motor vehicle theft, obstructing a police officer and criminal mischief.”

Joel Matos-Nieto
⚠️TdA international terrorist organization member
🌎23-year-old Venezuelan national
⚖️Final order of removal
⚖️Convicted | Vehicle theft, criminal mischief & obstruction
🔗Arrested by ICE Denver — April 23, 2025

☎️Report suspicious criminal activity:… https://t.co/LOvyzISWfY

— U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (@ICEgov) April 27, 2025

The arrest comes after President Donald Trump designated Tren de Aragua (TdA) a terrorist organization as part of his broader effort to crack down on gang violence. DHS spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin told Fox News that Trump’s actions have already led to the arrests of more than 600 TdA members within his first 100 days in office.

Fox News also contacted ICE Denver to obtain additional details about Matos-Nieto’s criminal record.

The capture of Matos-Nieto follows another high-profile case involving suspected TdA gang activity. On Thursday, a former judge from New Mexico and his wife were arrested for allegedly tampering with evidence and harboring a TdA member in their Las Cruces home.

Former Doña Ana County Magistrate Judge Joel Cano and his wife, Nancy Cano, are accused of allowing Cristhian Ortega-Lopez to live with them. Ortega-Lopez had entered the U.S. illegally in December 2023 but was released while awaiting a removal hearing due to detention center overcrowding.

He reportedly met the Canos while doing repair work on their home. Ortega-Lopez was later arrested by federal authorities in February, and Joel Cano resigned from his judgeship in March following the incident.