(RepublicanPress.org) – The Tren de Aragua gang is reportedly the most powerful homegrown criminal gang in Venezuela. It emerged out of a prison gang in the state of Aragua and is now listed as a transnational threat. The group’s criminal portfolio includes kidnapping, human trafficking, extortion, migrant smuggling, theft, drug trafficking, and cybercrimes. Recently, members of this notorious gang were picked up at the US border.
On May 29, U.S. Border Patrol (USBP) Chief Jason Owens stated on social media that agents in Texas arrested 10 people “affiliated with” Tren de Aragua. He warned the public to watch this gang because they are a “serious threat” to the community.
Owens said those arrested will be “processed” and removed from the United States. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) warned agents in March that the gang was attempting to set up shop in the US and to be on the lookout for those trying to enter the country. Given the recent arrests, it appears that agents heeded that advice.
That same month, several members of Congress wrote a letter to President Joe Biden about Tren de Aragua. They asked the US leader to “immediately designate” the group as a Transnational Criminal Organization (TCO). The lawmakers said the designation would make it easier to spread awareness and deploy resources to deal with the gang members.
They said the group’s activities were already inflicting harm on communities in Central and South America, warning that “state and local law enforcement agencies” were ill-prepared to deal with the gang.
While it doesn’t appear that Tren de Aragua (TdA) is listed as a TCO yet, the FBI recently warned that the gang could form an alliance with MS-13 — who is on the list. That gang was founded in Los Angeles by migrants from El Salvador. It reportedly has strong connections to drug cartels in Mexico. FBI’s El Paso division in Texas’ Special Agent in Charge, John Morales, said a convergence of the two gangs could help TdA expand its strength.
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