The U.S. Department of the Treasury has sanctioned Venezuelan model and DJ Jimena Romina Araya Navarro, widely known as Rosita, over alleged connections to the violent Tren de Aragua (TdA) gang.
According to the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), Araya Navarro is “romantically linked” to gang leader Héctor Rusthenford Guerrero Flores, also known as Niño Guerrero, and is accused of helping him escape prison in 2012 while assisting the group with money laundering operations.
Who Is Jimena Romina Araya Navarro?
Jimena “Rosita” Araya is a well-known Venezuelan model, actress, and part-time DJ. She gained fame through roles in Spanish-language TV shows such as:
- El amor las vuelve locas (2005)
- Negra consentida (2004)
- El Cuerpo del Deseo (2005)
She has hosted events in Venezuela, Colombia, and Mexico, and built a large following in the U.S. Spanish-speaking community through her TV appearances, modeling career, DJ performances, and social media presence.
What Did the Treasury Say About Her Role in the TdA Network?
OFAC said Araya Navarro’s activities supported the gang’s criminal operations, which include narco-trafficking, human smuggling, and organized violence—activities the U.S. considers a direct threat to national security.
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent stated: “Under President Trump, barbaric terrorist cartels can no longer operate with impunity across our borders. The Tren de Aragua network’s narcotrafficking and human smuggling operations have long posed a grave threat to our nation.”
The sanctions freeze any U.S.-based assets she may hold and prohibit U.S. citizens or companies from conducting business with her.
