Members of the Tren de Aragua, a notorious Venezuelan prison gang, have reportedly escalated violent activities at the Texas-Mexico border, attacking crossings armed with weapons, according to an internal Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) memo obtained by the New York Post.
Earlier in December, 20 gang members armed with blades, broken liquor bottles, and tire irons attempted to force their way into the United States at a border checkpoint near El Paso. Authorities anticipate another attempt by the gang to breach the border on New Year’s Day.
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The gang’s increased aggression is believed to be linked to the imminent inauguration of President-elect Donald Trump, who has pledged to tighten border security and prioritize the deportation of criminal illegal migrants.
Retired Homeland Security Investigations agent Victor Avila told the Post, “You’re seeing that violence at the border because they know that it’s going to change in 27 days. It’s going to be different, and they’re going to be sought after.”
Originating in a Venezuelan prison in 2013, Tren de Aragua has grown into a powerful international crime syndicate. Its activities have extended across U.S. cities and states, with reports of the gang taking over apartment buildings and engaging in violent crimes.
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In Aurora, Colorado, the gang reportedly seized control of several apartment buildings over the past year. Police suspect gang members were involved in a brutal December home invasion where a couple was abducted and tortured in one of the occupied buildings.
Similarly, in October, San Antonio police confirmed that Tren de Aragua members had taken over vacant apartments in the city.
In September, Texas Governor Greg Abbott designated Tren de Aragua as a terrorist organization. The designation aims to combat the gang’s rapid growth and its infiltration into communities.
“Tren de Aragua gangsters are like cockroaches,” said Texas DPS Director Steve McCraw during the announcement. “They multiply quickly; small intrusions into communities become infestations if not aggressively pursued.”
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The Department of Homeland Security has reportedly identified more than 600 individuals in the U.S. with potential ties to Tren de Aragua. As border violence continues to escalate, authorities remain on high alert to prevent further incursions and protect communities from the gang’s criminal activities.
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