A Colombian smuggler’s guilty plea has revealed details about a maritime route used to move migrants toward the United States. A boat carrying approximately 40 migrants and two captains left San Andrés Island for Nicaragua on October 21, 2023, but never arrived. The 42 people aboard remain missing and are presumed dead, according to a senior Justice Department official.
Authorities say the case shows how transnational smuggling operations can expose migrants to drowning, exploitation, trafficking and dangerous overland travel. The prosecution is part of a broader campaign against cartels and other criminal organizations, including networks operating outside the United States.
| 1) | A boat disappears on the route from Colombia to Nicaragua |
| 2) | The alleged smuggling network and its maritime tactics |
| 3) | How the journey can lead to trafficking and further danger |
| 4) | The prosecution and the Justice Department response |
| 5) | A wider task force campaign against transnational networks |
A boat disappears on the route from Colombia to Nicaragua
The vessel departed Colombia’s San Andrés Island on October 21, 2023, carrying about 40 migrants and two captains. Its destination was Nicaragua, the first maritime stage of a longer journey that migrants allegedly intended to continue through Central America and Mexico before trying to enter the United States. The boat never reached Nicaragua, and no one aboard has been seen or heard from since.
Assistant Attorney General Tysen Duva, who leads the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, said the migrants and captains are missing and presumed dead. He said there appeared to be no survivors.
The alleged smuggling network and its maritime tactics
Prosecutors identified the defendant as Luis Enrique Linero Pinto, 41, also known as “El Calvo.” Court documents say he advised migrants about reaching San Andrés Island, received them when they arrived, arranged lodging and transported them to boats bound for Nicaragua.
Authorities also said Linero Pinto bribed Colombian navy members to obtain real-time information about patrol vessels operating between San Andrés Island and Nicaragua. That information allegedly helped smuggling boats avoid detection. Linero Pinto admitted helping place the migrants aboard the vessel that disappeared.
How the journey can lead to trafficking and further danger
The ocean crossing was only the first part of the planned route. Duva said migrants who survive the maritime passage may still face dangerous terrain across South and Central America and risks while crossing the U.S.-Mexico border. Potential hazards include exposure, injury, violence and further exploitation, although officials did not provide a complete account of incidents along this particular route.
Officials also warned that smuggling can develop into human trafficking after migrants reach the United States. Criminal associates may claim that migrants owe additional money and force them to work off the alleged debt, including through the sex trade.
The prosecution and the Justice Department response
Luis Enrique Linero Pinto was charged in October 2024 and arrested in Colombia in December of that year at the request of the United States. He was extradited and made his first appearance in federal court in El Paso, Texas, in December 2025. He later pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit alien smuggling and placing lives in jeopardy.
He faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in federal prison. No sentencing date had been set as of September 18, 2026. A case against alleged co-conspirator Hernando Manuel de la Cruz Rivera Orjuela remains pending.
A wider task force campaign against transnational networks
The investigation was led by Homeland Security Investigations and coordinated through Joint Task Force Alpha, a Justice Department-led initiative focused on high-impact human smuggling and trafficking cases. Duva said expanded resources allowed the Criminal Division to add prosecutors and assign experienced attorneys to priority areas.
Investigators are pursuing networks along the southern border, maritime routes near Florida and the northern border with Canada. According to the Justice Department, Joint Task Force Alpha has produced more than 483 domestic and international arrests, over 436 U.S. convictions and more than 371 significant prison sentences.
| Number | Key Point |
|---|---|
| 1 | A boat carrying 42 people disappeared after leaving San Andrés Island for Nicaragua in October 2023. |
| 2 | Luis Enrique Linero Pinto pleaded guilty to smuggling-related charges and faces up to 20 years in prison. |
| 3 | Officials warned that smuggling routes can expose migrants to trafficking and forced labor. |
| 4 | Joint Task Force Alpha reported more than 483 arrests and over 436 U.S. convictions. |
Summary
The disappearance of 42 people at sea has highlighted the lethal risks of a smuggling route linking Colombia, Nicaragua and the intended path north to the United States. The guilty plea exposed alleged bribery, maritime evasion and organized transportation practices. Officials say the broader danger includes trafficking after migrants reach land, and authorities continue to pursue these networks through prosecutions and international cooperation.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happened to the boat carrying 42 people?
The boat left San Andrés Island for Nicaragua on October 21, 2023, but never arrived. The migrants and two captains aboard have not been seen or heard from and are presumed dead.
Who pleaded guilty in the case?
Colombian national Luis Enrique Linero Pinto pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit alien smuggling and placing lives in jeopardy. He faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in federal prison.
Why was the route considered dangerous?
Officials say the journey involved dangerous sea travel, difficult terrain and potential exploitation. Migrants may also be forced into trafficking or sex work when criminal groups demand repayment of alleged smuggling debts.
