Eight Venezuelans from Tren de Aragua charged with murder of teacher in Kennedy, Bogotá
The Public Prosecutor's Office charged eight alleged members of Tren de Aragua with the homicide, torture and dismemberment of teacher Kevin Santiago Ángel in Bogotá.
Anti-drug teacher murdered in Bogotá: Tren de Aragua ordered crime from prison
Eight Venezuelan nationals, alleged members of the criminal group Tren de Aragua, were charged in connection with the murder of teacher Kevin Santiago Ángel in the Kennedy neighbourhood, south of Bogotá. According to pulzo.com, the Office of the Public Prosecutor linked the defendants to the homicide that occurred between 20 and 22 May 2026.
Ángel led sports activities with young people in his community aimed at preventing drug use. The Public Prosecutor's Office and the Bogotá Mayor's Office stated that this work had directly interfered with the interests of Tren de Aragua, an organisation dedicated, according to authorities, to trafficking in illicit substances and extortion in the south-western sector of the city.
Contact via social media and deadly meeting in Galán neighbourhood
According to investigations, an alleged ringleader ordered the crime from a detention centre. The individual known as Alondra allegedly initiated contact with the teacher starting 9 May through social media, with the aim of gaining his trust and arranging a meeting at a property in the Galán neighbourhood. The individual known as Mario Bro facilitated the meeting place, whilst the individual known as Luis Panadero, a resident of that property, was identified as receiving Alondra.
The individuals known as Looney Tones, Colmillos and Tun Tun were identified as participants in the detention, torture and subsequent transport of the body. According to information gathered by the Public Prosecutor's Office, the victim was detained and subjected to acts of torture at the property in south-western Bogotá. Subsequently, his body was dismembered, placed in a suitcase and abandoned in the El Tintal sector.
Over 80 judicial police operations with DEA support
The clarification of the case was made possible through more than 80 judicial police operations, carried out with the support of the United States Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). The proceedings made it possible to identify the specific roles of each of the defendants, from the planning and prior contact to the execution of the crime and concealment of evidence.
The Public Prosecutor's Office Special Investigation Unit (UEI) charged the eight defendants with the offences of homicide, torture, forced disappearance, criminal association with aggravating circumstances and concealment, alteration or destruction of material evidence. None of the defendants accepted the charges against them.
Tren de Aragua, a threat to community leaders in south Bogotá
The Public Prosecutor's Office warned that Tren de Aragua has represented a serious threat to community leaders and to those who promote environments free of violence and drugs in south Bogotá. Teacher Ángel's work, aimed at keeping young people away from illicit drug use, was apparently perceived by the organisation as direct interference with its criminal activities in Kennedy.
Authorities urged the public to report any criminal activity or breaches of coexistence through the Emergency Line 123.
Source: Google News CO — Bogotá