Venezuelan Gangs Overrun Colorado Apartment Complexes: Former Resident Describes Terrifying Takeover

A former resident of an Aurora apartment complex describes the frightening moment her neighbors' unit was seized by suspected Venezuelan gang members, highlighting the escalating violence and law enforcement failures in Colorado.

In the wake of the shocking takeover of an Aurora, Colorado apartment complex by heavily armed Venezuelan migrants, Cindy Romero, a former resident, has spoken out about the alarming incident, describing it as a symptom of a wider problem.

According to Romero, residents had been on high alert for weeks after witnessing individuals carrying weapons into an adjacent building. Despite reporting their concerns to authorities, they received no immediate response.

Venezuelan Gangs Overrun Colorado Apartment Complexes: Former Resident Describes Terrifying Takeover

"I called the police early that morning, but they told me there was an ongoing investigation and they couldn't do anything unless something happened," Romero said. "We were waiting all day for it to happen, and we knew it was coming."

Her fears were realized that night when a group of men, armed with handguns and a scoped rifle, burst into the apartment complex. The group, which is believed to be Tren de Aragua, or TdA, a transnational gang based out of Venezuela, has been linked to over 100 crimes across the nation.

Venezuelan Gangs Overrun Colorado Apartment Complexes: Former Resident Describes Terrifying Takeover

Romero and her husband were home at the time of the incident, and their vehicles were struck by bullets during the ensuing gunfire. "I have a bullet hole through my car," she said. "My husband's car has bullet holes in it too."

Since then, multiple apartment buildings within Aurora have been overtaken by Venezuelan gangs. Residents have reported instances of gang members collecting rent from tenants.

Venezuelan Gangs Overrun Colorado Apartment Complexes: Former Resident Describes Terrifying Takeover

Romero has relocated with the help of Aurora City Council Member Danielle Jurinsky, who has been vocal about the situation. However, Colorado Gov. Jared Polis has dismissed the allegations as "largely a feature of Danielle Jurinsky's imagination."

Romero vehemently disagrees with Polis's characterization of events. "You can't fake video," she said. "Polis wouldn't last five minutes on that property."

She accuses the administration of failing to adequately protect citizens. "We count on them to make the guidelines that we go by," Romero said. "No help comes for me. No help. There's no mass amounts of police that show up to make sure that we're defended."

Romero emphasized the lack of support from law enforcement. "I didn't have a bulletproof vest. I didn't have five officers showing up with me whenever there was a problem," she said. "We were on our own, and we were left to die."

The incident has left Romero traumatized and grateful to have escaped. "I'm so grateful every day that I got out," she said.

The takeover of apartment complexes by Venezuelan gangs has raised serious concerns about public safety and law enforcement response times in Colorado. Residents and former residents are calling for immediate action to address the escalating violence and protect citizens.