Venezuelan TikTok Influencer Shot Dead During Livestream After Exposing Police-Crime Links

Gabriel Jesús Sarmiento Rodríguez, a 25-year-old Venezuelan TikTok influencer known for exposing corruption and criminal activity linked to police and gangs, was shot and killed during a livestream at his home in Maracay. Sarmiento had publicly accused members of the notorious criminal gang Tren de Aragua and some police officers of corruption and extortion, naming high-ranking officials and the gang's fugitive leader. He had also reported receiving threats from these groups and had called Venezuela's intelligence service for help during the attack, but no assistance arrived. Venezuelan authorities have launched a national investigation into the targeted killing, with the Public Prosecutor's Office assigning a specialized organized crime unit to identify and punish those responsible. The murder highlights the grave dangers faced by individuals who speak out against corruption and organized crime in Venezuela, where criminal gangs continue to operate with relative impunity despite government efforts. The United States has designated Tren de Aragua as a transnational criminal organization and offers rewards for information leading to the arrest of its leaders.