Colorado Officials Declare War on Notorious Venezuelan Gang, Tren de Aragua

In a bold move, Texas Governor Greg Abbott has declared the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua (TdA) a "foreign terrorist organization" and launched a statewide operation to target and disrupt their criminal activities. This action comes on the heels of alarming revelations by Aurora council member Danielle Jurinsky, who shared chilling information about TdA's presence and activities in the city.

Texas Governor Greg Abbott has taken an aggressive stance against the notorious Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua (TdA), declaring it a "foreign terrorist organization" and launching a comprehensive statewide operation to disrupt their criminal activities.

In a press conference in Houston, Abbott announced that the state will aggressively target TdA to deny them a foothold in Texas. He directed the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) to elevate the gang to Tier 1 status and create a TdA Strike Team to identify and arrest its members.

Colorado Officials Declare War on Notorious Venezuelan Gang, Tren de Aragua

"Texas is the wrong state for them to do business in," Abbott said.

DPS Director Steve McCraw described TdA members as "cockroaches" who multiply quickly and become infestations if not aggressively pursued. He highlighted their involvement in human smuggling, extortion, kidnappings, rape, assaults, and sex trafficking.

Colorado Officials Declare War on Notorious Venezuelan Gang, Tren de Aragua

Abbott emphasized the safety and security of Texans as the primary focus of the operation. He vowed to defend Texas from the gang's growing threat.

Aurora council member Danielle Jurinsky has shared disturbing information about TdA's activities in the city. She revealed that law enforcement sources have informed her that the gang is heavily involved in drug trafficking, extortion, and human smuggling.

Colorado Officials Declare War on Notorious Venezuelan Gang, Tren de Aragua

Jurinsky expressed concern that TdA members are taking over apartment buildings, using them as safe havens and intimidating residents. She called the situation "horrifying" and "terrifying."

In a statement provided to Fox News, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) confirmed that four Venezuelan nationals arrested in Aurora as part of the TdA investigation are in the United States illegally. They crossed the border through Texas between 2022 and 2023 under the Biden administration.

ICE has placed detainer requests on two of the individuals. The discovery of illegal aliens within TdA underscores the broader issue of illegal border crossings under the current administration.

The Tren de Aragua is based mainly in Venezuela but has expanded its operations to the United States. According to the House Committee on Homeland Security, the group has approximately 5,000 members across both countries. Its activities have caused significant concern and prompted law enforcement crackdowns.

Texas has a history of taking strong action against terrorism. In 2023, Governor Abbott signed Senate Bill 1900, which defines transnational drug cartels and criminal organizations as foreign terrorist organizations in Texas. This designation allows the state to use the courts to curb their operations, confiscate property, and enhance criminal penalties.

Texas has emphasized the importance of collaboration between law enforcement agencies at all levels to combat TdA. Governor Abbott has called for cooperation between federal, state, and local authorities to disrupt the gang's activities and protect the citizens of Texas.