Francisco Javier Román-Bardales, an alleged senior leader of the MS-13 gang and one of the FBI’s “Ten Most Wanted,” has been captured with the assistance of Mexican authorities, according to an announcement from FBI Director Kash Patel. Known as “Veterano de Tribus,” Román-Bardales was arrested in Mexico and is being extradited to the United States. He faces multiple serious charges, including conspiracy related to terrorism, drug trafficking, racketeering, and human smuggling. The FBI has linked him to violent orders targeting both civilians and rival gang members, as well as large-scale drug distribution and extortion operations spanning the U.S. and El Salvador.
The arrest marks a significant development in ongoing efforts to dismantle transnational gang networks. Patel described the operation as “a major victory” for law enforcement and public safety, emphasizing international cooperation as key to bringing high-profile fugitives to justice. Román-Bardales was apprehended after Mexican authorities identified him, informed him of his rights, and transported him to Mexico City for extradition processing. His arrest is part of a broader pattern of recent law enforcement successes, including the January 2025 captures of fugitives Arnoldo Jimenez and Donald Eugene Fields II, both wanted for unrelated violent crimes.
MS-13, originally founded in Los Angeles, has been classified by U.S. officials as a transnational criminal organization and was designated a terrorist group under the Trump administration. This classification has sparked debate over the scope of U.S. policy toward criminal organizations operating internationally. The Eastern District of New York has prosecuted hundreds of MS-13 members since 2009, linking them to more than 80 murders. U.S. law enforcement continues to coordinate with partners in Central America to curb the gang’s reach and disrupt funding channels driven largely by drug trafficking and extortion. The extradition of Román-Bardales could mark a turning point in these ongoing efforts.
