Leaked US Army documents reveal Venezuelan gang members have infiltrated numerous US communities, posing a significant threat to public safety and national security.
At a Glance
- Tren de Aragua (TDA), a Venezuelan criminal gang, has infiltrated US communities
- The gang is compared to MS-13 in terms of threat level
- TDA members are involved in various criminal activities, including drug dealing and sex trafficking
- US officials are pushing for TDA to be designated as a transnational criminal organization
- The gang’s presence has been confirmed in multiple states, including Colorado
Venezuelan Gang Infiltration: A Growing Threat
A dangerous Venezuelan prison gang known as Tren de Aragua (TDA) has successfully infiltrated numerous unsuspecting neighborhoods across the United States. This alarming development has raised serious concerns among law enforcement agencies and government officials. TDA, often compared to the notorious MS-13 in terms of threat level, has exploited the ongoing border crisis to establish a foothold in American communities.
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security has confirmed TDA’s presence and warned of their directive to attack law enforcement. This revelation has prompted immediate action from various agencies to combat the growing threat. Aurora Mayor Mike Coffman acknowledged the gang’s control over several apartment complexes in his city, highlighting the extent of TDA’s infiltration.
If we don’t pass the SAVE Act, Venezuelan prison gangs might soon be running a whole lot more than an apartment building in Colorado.
This is one of countless reasons why we shouldn’t let noncitizens—among them some really bad people who shouldn’t be here—vote in our elections. https://t.co/1slFySQ5IW
— Mike Lee (@BasedMikeLee) September 9, 2024
TDA’s Criminal Activities and Impact
Federal law enforcement agencies have launched over 100 investigations into TDA-related crimes, including drug dealing, extortion, sex trafficking, and shootings. The gang’s members have been implicated in violent crimes, such as the shooting of two New York police officers and the murder of Georgia nursing student Laken Riley by a suspected TDA member.
“Keep your eye on this gang. Their criminal activities represent a serious threat to our communities!,” said U.S. Border Patrol Chief Jason Owens.
TDA operates “stash houses” for sex trafficking in multiple states, further expanding their criminal network. The gang’s activities have created what Aurora Mayor Mike Coffman describes as “a nightmare situation” for affected communities. Law enforcement agencies face significant challenges in combating TDA due to the lack of cooperation from Venezuela in screening immigrants for criminal backgrounds.
Government Response and Challenges
The FBI is actively tracking TDA, collaborating with various law enforcement and intelligence agencies to counter the gang’s activities. Lawmakers, including Sen. Marco Rubio and U.S. Rep. Tony Gonzales, are pushing for TDA to be designated as a transnational criminal organization. This designation would enable the allocation of more resources to combat the gang’s activities in the U.S.
“While the group is well established in many South American countries,” an Interpol spokesperson said in a statement, “there is evidence that it is now expanding North, into Mexico and the United States, where key Tren de Aragua members have already been identified.”
The NYPD refers to TDA members as “ghost criminals” due to the lack of identifiable information, complicating efforts to track and apprehend them. The Biden administration has taken steps to address the threat, designating TDA as a transnational criminal organization in July and offering rewards totaling up to $12 million for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the gang’s leaders.
Community Impact and Ongoing Concerns
TDA’s infiltration has had a severe impact on local communities. In Aurora, Colorado, the gang began terrorizing residents of Whispering Pines Apartments as early as November 2023. They used threats of murder, intimidation, and beatings to take over the apartment complex, moving gang members and vulnerable immigrant families into vacant units for illegal activities such as prostitution.
“The situation is under control,” Mayor Mike Johnston of Denver told 9News. “There is going to be no widespread gang activity in the city of Denver.” “It’s a serious incident, but it’s not the entire city,” said Mayor Mike Coffman of Aurora.
As TDA continues to expand its reach within the United States, concerns grow about the potential for increased violence and criminal activity in affected communities. Law enforcement agencies and government officials face the ongoing challenge of identifying and apprehending TDA members while protecting vulnerable populations from exploitation and violence.
