Francisco Javier Roman-Bardales

In this Spanish name, the first or paternal surname is Roman and the second or maternal family name is Bardales.

Francisco Javier Roman-Bardales (born December 2, 1977), also known as "Veterano de Tribus",^[2] is a Salvadoran former fugitive and an alleged senior leader of MS-13 responsible for criminal activities of the gang in the United States, Mexico, and El Salvador.^[3][4]

Francisco Javier Roman-Bardales
FBI Ten Most Wanted Fugitive
Charges	Conspiracy to Provide and Conceal Material Support and Resources to Terrorists Narco-Terrorism Conspiracy Racketeering Conspiracy (RICO) Alien Smuggling Conspiracy
Reward	$250,000
Alias	"Veterano de Tribus"[1]
Description
Born	(1977-12-02) December 2, 1977 (age 47) Ahuachapán, El Salvador
Nationality	Salvadoran
Gender	Male
Height	5 ft 5 in (165 cm)
Weight	175 lb (79 kg)
Status
Added	February 21, 2025
Caught	March 17, 2025
Number	534
Captured

Criminal history

In December 2020, Roman-Bardales was indicted along with 26 other high-ranking MS-13 leaders by the Eastern District of New York.^[5] He faces serious charges, including conspiracy to provide and conceal material support to terrorists, narcoterrorism conspiracy, racketeering conspiracy, and alien smuggling conspiracy.^[3]

As part of MS-13's leadership, he is alleged to have been involved in directing acts of violence and murder, establishing military-style training camps, and obtaining military-grade weapons. The organization is also accused of manipulating the electoral process in El Salvador and negotiating with the Salvadoran government for benefits and concessions.^[5]

He is also believed to have played a role in MS-13's expansion into Mexico, forging alliances with Mexican drug cartels and engaging in various criminal activities, including narcotics trafficking, human smuggling, extortion, and arms trafficking.^[6]

In September 2022, a federal arrest warrant was issued for Roman-Bardales in the United States on narcoterrorism and human smuggling charges. On February 21, 2025, he was placed on the FBI's Ten Most Wanted Fugitives list, replacing Arnoldo Jimenez.^[3][7]

On March 17, 2025, Roman-Bardales was apprehended in Teocelo, Veracruz, Mexico. The arrest was the result of a coordinated effort by both U.S. and Mexican authorities, who had been surveilling Roman-Bardales in the days leading up to his arrest. He was transported to Mexico City before being handed over to U.S. authorities and brought to the United States to face charges.^[8] He was arraigned in New York City on March 19, 2025.^[9]