Venezuelan gang allows members to attack police, officials say.
The Venezuelan street gang Tren de Aragua has raised concerns among federal authorities after allegedly issuing a “green light” to attack and even kill police officers. Authorities have issued warnings to law enforcement agencies regarding the potential threat posed by this criminal organization.
The Albuquerque New Mexico Police Department (APD) has circulated an officer safety bulletin to alert other law enforcement agencies about the Tren De Aragua gang. The bulletin reports that TDA members in Denver have been given the directive to fire upon or assault law enforcement officers.
The information was initially reported by The New York Post, which referenced a memo from Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) in Chicago citing credible sources from Colorado. This memo also mentioned the presence of TdA in Chicago. A bulletin for officer safety and situational awareness was reportedly distributed to Border Patrol agents, echoing similar concerns.
According to news reports, the Denver Police Department (DPD) is taking precautionary measures and informing officers about the safety hazards shared by their law enforcement partners. However, APD has refrained from confirming any details mentioned in media reports, citing the potential risk to ongoing investigations or officer safety.
This latest notification serves as a continuation of the warnings regarding the Venezuelan gang, some of whose members have crossed into the U.S. from the southern border.
Border Patrol Chief Jason Owens issued a cautionary statement in May, urging vigilance against the gang. He emphasized the grave threat posed by their criminal activities to local communities.
Customs and Border Protections (CBP) has previously disseminated intelligence bulletins to agents highlighting the identifying tattoos and markers associated with the gang.
Tren de Aragua is known to engage in a variety of criminal activities, including extortion, kidnapping, murder, and sex trafficking. Federal authorities have been monitoring their attempts to establish a presence in the U.S., where they are suspected of involvement in organized crime. The FBI has also expressed concerns about potential collaboration between TdA and MS-13.
Recent developments brought attention to the gang when it was revealed that the brother of a suspect in the murder of Georgia student Laken Riley had connections to Tren de Aragua. Both individuals are Venezuelan illegal immigrants. The U.S. Department of the Treasury has designated Tren de Aragua as a significant transnational criminal organization and offered monetary rewards for information leading to the capture of three of its leaders.
Experts and officials have voiced alarm over the gang’s activities, particularly in light of the escalating border security crisis. They have warned about the gang’s involvement in drug trafficking, large-scale criminal operations, and other illicit activities.
Concerns have been raised about the safety of U.S. citizens, with fears that Tren de Aragua’s directive to target police officers could lead to violent encounters. The lack of fear or respect for law enforcement within the gang poses a serious threat to public safety.
The situation underscores the need for continued vigilance and collaboration among law enforcement agencies to address the growing threat posed by transnational criminal organizations like Tren de Aragua.
