El Paso is on alert following reports that the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua, known for severe criminal activities, plans to make a significant push across the U.S. border from the Mexican state of Chihuahua.
Fox News reported that the authorities in Chihuahua and U.S. officials have marked Tren de Aragua for its ruthless operations spanning human and drug trafficking, extortion, and money laundering.
The Secretary of Public Safety in Chihuahua, Gilberto Loya, emphasized the coordinated efforts with the U.S. that brought this threat to light. "We have detected — thanks to the collaboration with the United States — that a large number of people who belong to Tren de Aragua have passed through Chihuahua,” he stated, underscoring the shared concern across borders.
Following their recognition by the U.S. Treasury Department as a transnational criminal organization, TdA's broad criminal strategies have instilled fear in communities where they operate. Their activities, particularly targeting migrant women and girls, have drawn sharp criticism and urgent action from law enforcement.
A recent development came from Aurora, Colorado, where a disturbing video surfaced, displaying armed TdA members seizing control of an apartment complex. The footage highlights an increase in their boldness, moving from covert operations to overt displays of power in U.S. territories.
Residents of Aurora have voiced concerns over the gang's visible armed presence and illicit activities. One anonymous resident described the situation: "This is organized. They patrol the property with guns visibly, like they're not trying to hide them. There's no repercussion. These are ghosts."
In response to these challenges, local authorities, including Aurora City Councilwoman Danielle Jurinsky, have taken steps to combat the particularly heinous crime of sex trafficking linked to the gang's activities. Jurinsky confirmed, "Without a doubt, there is sex trafficking now going on," highlighting the urgent need for targeted law enforcement actions to dismantle these operations.
Representative Tony Gonzales raised an alarm on the organized and aggressive nature of TdA, comparing them unfavorably to other notorious gangs. "They're extremely aggressive. It's not as if they're a passive group, or they want to quietly go about things," Gonzales noted, pointing out the complicated challenge they present to public safety.
The Treasury Department outlined the grim reality of TdA's operations: "Tren de Aragua leverages its transnational networks to traffic people, especially migrant women and girls, across borders for sex trafficking and debt bondage... Tren de Aragua members often kill them and publicize their deaths as a threat to others."
In efforts to fortify the border, Texas National Guard soldiers have been stationed near El Paso, serving as both a deterrent and a rapid response force to counter any attempt by TdA to infiltrate U.S. soil.
This vigilance is maintained as U.S. officials continue to issue stern warnings about the danger posed by TdA. Consequently, the situation has catalyzed multiple agencies into coordinated actions designed not only to intercept but also to dismantle the intricate network that allows TdA to operate so effectively across international borders.
As this situation evolves, community leaders, law enforcement, and government officials urge residents in impacted areas to remain alert and collaborate closely with local authorities to ensure public safety against this formidable threat.
In conclusion, the multinational actions against Tren de Aragua's deeply entrenched criminal activities underscore the critical need for ongoing cooperation between U.S. and Mexican authorities. Moreover, these actions highlight the necessity for vigilant community awareness to combat the significant dangers posed by this gang.
