According to an internal memo obtained by the New York Post, members of the Tren de Aragua, a notorious prison gang from Venezuela, have been carrying out violent attacks at the Texas-Mexico border. The memo reveals that these gang members are armed with weapons and have targeted border crossings.
In December, a group of 20 gang members armed with blades, broken liquor bottles, and tire irons made an unsuccessful attempt to enter the United States through a border checkpoint near El Paso. It is expected that the gang will make another try to breach the border on New Year’s Day.
Experts speculate that the gang’s heightened aggression can be attributed to the upcoming inauguration of President-elect Donald Trump. Trump has made it clear that he plans to prioritize tightening border security and focusing on deporting criminal illegal immigrants. This stance may have fueled the gang’s sense of urgency and prompted them to act more aggressively.
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 from a Venezuelan prison in 2013, Tren de Aragua has evolved into a formidable international criminal organization. Its operations have spread to various cities and states in the United States, where there have been reports of the gang seizing control of apartment buildings and carrying out acts of violence.
In October, the San Antonio police confirmed that vacant apartments in the city had been taken over by members of Tren de Aragua.
In September, Governor Greg Abbott of Texas designated Tren de Aragua as a terrorist organization. This measure was taken to address the gang’s alarming expansion and its infiltration into local 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.”
The Department of Homeland Security has reportedly identified over 600 individuals in the United States who may have connections to Tren de Aragua. With the escalation of border violence, authorities are maintaining a heightened state of readiness to thwart any additional incursions and safeguard communities from the criminal activities of this gang.
No one is safe from vicious criminals, from gang members.. we all need to support our law enforcement into eradicating such treat to public safety……