The violent Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua has emerged as a serious threat to public safety in major U.S. cities. Recent intelligence suggests the gang has now set its sights on law enforcement, marking a dangerous escalation in their criminal activities.
A federal memo obtained by The New York Post reveals a chilling directive from the gang. “Credible human sources from Colorado provided information on TdA [Tren de Aragua] giving a ‘green light’ to fire on or attack law enforcement,” the memo states. This alarming development comes as the gang’s presence grows in cities like Denver, Chicago, and New York.
The gang’s name, which translates to “The Aragua Train,” refers to its origins in Venezuela’s Aragua region. Its members have exploited the current immigration crisis, posing as asylum seekers to cross the southern border. Once in the U.S., they’ve quickly established operations in major cities.
Their criminal activities are wide-ranging and severe. The gang is involved in money laundering, gun smuggling, theft, and human trafficking. More than 100 criminal investigations have been opened by federal authorities targeting Tren de Aragua.
Marco Rubio sounds the alarm:
"Tren de Aragua, a vicious Venezuelan gang, has entered the U.S. because of President Biden's open border."pic.twitter.com/45efvIquAE
— The American Conservative (@amconmag) June 5, 2024
The gang’s brazen tactics were on full display in New York City last June. Two NYPD officers were shot while attempting to arrest a gang member. The suspect, 19-year-old Bernardo Raul Castro Mata, allegedly told police he was recruited by the gang’s local “coordinator” after crossing the border illegally in Texas.
Illegal alien Bernardo Raul Castro Mata gunned down two NYPD officers, says kiIIing cops is his culture.
Robberies are up 300% in the past year, police have traced it back to the influx of illegals flooding New York City. pic.twitter.com/Mtth1y8sFX
— Dinesh D'Souza (@DineshDSouza) June 27, 2024
Denver has been particularly hard hit by the influx of migrants, many from Venezuela. The city has received 42,000 migrants – more per capita than any other U.S. city. This surge has provided cover for Tren de Aragua members to establish a foothold in the area.
Law enforcement faces significant challenges in identifying and apprehending gang members. A Border Patrol source told The Post, “We have zero access to other nations’ criminal databases and with this administration’s uselessness in deterring these criminals, they will keep entering undetected.”
The gang’s younger members often avoid tattoos and other identifying marks, making them difficult to spot during border screenings. The U.S. Border Patrol only began tracking the group last year and has identified just 70 members so far.
The Biden administration has recently taken steps to combat the growing threat. Tren de Aragua has been designated a transnational criminal organization, and a $12 million reward has been offered for the arrest of its leaders. However, critics argue these measures are too little, too late.
The situation is a direct conviction of the out of control border crisis created by the Biden administration and the urgent need for effective border security. As one Border Patrol source bluntly stated, “It’s far too easy for criminals to enter the US.”
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The targeting of law enforcement by Tren de Aragua represents a dangerous new phase in the ongoing border crisis, one that demands immediate and decisive action to protect both the public and those sworn to serve them.
