The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has issued a stark warning about the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua (TdA), which has reportedly authorized its members to attack and shoot police officers in Denver, Colorado, and other major cities. This information comes from a memo obtained by multiple media outlets.
Tren de Aragua, a gang described by CNN as a “multistate human trafficking ring,” has been involved in numerous violent crimes this year, including the deaths of two NYPD officers in June. The gang is known for forcing immigrant women and minors into prostitution and engaging in illegal activities like theft, human trafficking, gun smuggling, and money laundering.
The DHS memo reveals, “Credible human sources from Colorado provided information on TdA giving a ‘green light’ to fire on or attack law enforcement.” This intelligence was provided by the Albuquerque Police Department, indicating the gang’s expansive operations across the U.S.
Denver, which has taken in 42,000 illegal foreign nationals, a large number from Venezuela, has become a focal point for the gang’s activities. Members of Tren de Aragua have also spread to other major cities, including New York, Chicago, and Miami.
The U.S. Border Patrol, which began tracking the gang last year, has apprehended at least 70 members for violent crimes. However, many members manage to evade capture by avoiding gang tattoos and other identifiable marks. An anonymous U.S. Border Patrol insider expressed frustration, stating, “We have zero access to other nations’ criminal databases, and with this administration’s uselessness in deterring these criminals, they will keep entering undetected.”
This situation highlights the critical need for improved border security and enhanced international collaboration to address the threat posed by violent gangs like Tren de Aragua. Ensuring the safety of law enforcement and the public remains a top priority.
