Leader of Colombian gang 'The Satans' that shot up butcher shop during reign of terror across city of Bogota is arrested in Texas: Venezuelan fugitive was SEEKING ASYLUM in the US

The leader of a notorious street gang that has been terrorizing business owners and residents in Colombia’s capital was arrested earlier this week in Texas, where he was seeking asylum.

Venezuelan national Aderbiss Pirela was taken into custody by federal and local agents in New Braunfels, outside San Antonio, on Tuesday, Homeland Securities Investigations confirmed Wednesday. 

Pirela, according to Colombian authorities, is the second-in-command of 'Los Satanás,' and was one of the seven most wanted murderers in Bogotá. 

In addition, he is also facing drug trafficking and extortion charges. 

The arrest of Pirela, who is also known as 'Maracucho' and 'Pedrito,' comes less than a week after Los Satanás assassins shot dead a butcher shop owner and an employee in Bogotá. 

Venezuelan national Aderbiss Pirela is being held by federal authorities in Texas following his arrest Tuesday. Colombian authorities identified Pirela as the second-in-command of Los Satanás, a gang that operates in Bogotá, the country's capital. Pirela faces murder, drug trafficking and extortion charges

The arrest of Los Satanás leader Aderbiss Pirela took place almost a week after gang assassins filmed themselves executing a butcher shop owner in Bogotá. The attack also left a worker dead and three others wounded

Bogotá Metropolitan Police commander, general José Gualdrón, revealed that one of the gang members with whom Pirela was in constant contact with is John Uscateguí, who oversaw the gang’s hired assassins. 

Uscateguí was arrested Tuesday and allegedly had a role in the March 7 butcher shop attack, according to Colombia’s Attorney General’s Office.

Three workers were also wounded in the attack that was recorded by one of the gunmen. 

Bogotá Metropolitan Police commander, general José Gualdrón, said Pirela migrated from Venezuela to Colombia in June 2023. He was wanted for domestic violence and extortion and was facing two arrest warrants.

Pirela quickly rose in the ranks following the arrest of Los Satanás leader, José Vera, this past November in Ecuador. 

Various raids netted the arrest of 18 gang members in December, but Pirela and nine others managed to slip past authorities and fled the country. 

Gualdrón said Pirela illegally crossed into Panamá via the Darien Gap and trekked through Central America.

Aderbiss Pirela fled from Colombia in December and reached Mexico on January 1. He then applied for political asylum January 7 in Texas after crossing the border. Federal and local agents captured him Tuesday near San Antonio

Colombian authorities said Venezuelan national Aderbiss Pirela was instructing gang members in Bogotá from a migrant shelter in Texas, where he was awaiting his application for asylum to be processed 

He said that authorities learned Pirela and other gang members where in Mexico after a selfie was posted on Facebook on January 1.

Gualdrón said that Pirela was caught crossing the United States-Mexico border on January 2 and requested political asylum from the United States on January 7. 

Investigators would learn on January 27 that he and his associates were operating Los Satanás gang activities from a shelter in Texas and instructing gang members in Bogotá. 

Gualdrón said they were informed by the FBI and HSI that Pirela was in the United States and a search for his whereabouts was launched.

U.S. authorities first searched Denver, where Pirela had listed an address, before they were able to track him down in Texas and arrested him while he was walking on a street Tuesday.

'There will be no territory where these criminals can hide. We will capture them and bring them to justice,' Gualdrón said. 'Our priority: ensuring the safety and tranquility of the people of Bogotá.'

The Colombian government will be filing a request for Pirela's extradition.