Tren de Aragua is Already in Texas, Officials Say

Two weeks ago, the name Tren De Aragua was completely foreign to most Americans.

Today, the name of the violent Venezuelan gang is now known nationwide due to their recent takeover of an apartment complex in Aurora, Colorado. And terrifyingly enough, officials say that they have seen large groups of Tren de Aragua making entry into the state of Texas via the corridor in El Paso.

What does does that mean? That while we were preoccupied with problems like the cartel and other nationals, a more insidious evil has been able to set up camp in the Lone Star state undetected.

Who Are The Tren de Aragua?

According to Wikipedia, the Tren De Aragua is described as "the largest criminal organization in Venezuela, with over 5,000 members". With a presence in Colombia, Brazil, Peru, Ecuador, Bolivia, Panama, Costa Rica and Chile, the gang has a firm hold on the human smuggling industry.

The organization is involved in "arms trafficking, bribery, drug-trafficking, illegal mining, kidnappings-for-ransom, and money laundering."

Tren de Aragua is a particular threat to women and children, who the gang frequently enslave in sex trafficking. If victims escape the hands of their captors, they are often killed and their death used as a warning to others.

Crime in the United States

In a recent article in the Latin Times, the organization infiltrated neighboring countries in South America by keeping a local profile and associating with smaller local groups. As a result, the presence of Tren de Aragua is not noticed until the gang has already established themselves.

The Latin Times goes on to attribute a rash of highly-publicized violent crimes to Tren de Aragua. Among the 70 cases that reportedly mention Tren de Aragua include the murder of a nursing student in Georgia, the shooting of two police officers in New York City, and most recently, the violent takeover of the apartments in Colorado.

And What About Texas?

State politicians have known about the Venezuelan gang and they are deeply concerned.

In a statement to the Washington Examiner, U.S. Rep. Tony Gonzales of Texas highlighted the dangers, "For months, I have sounded the alarm about Tren de Aragua and the threat this gang poses..."

The general consensus of these officials is that Tren de Aragua utilized the border chaos to slip into Texas undetected. In fact, US Border Patrol chief Jason Owens has personally issued a warning to Texans, "watch out for this gang,"

Sanctions and $12 Million in Rewards Offered by U.S.

On July 11, the U.S. Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control sanctioned the Venezuelan gang.

"Today's designation of Tren de Aragua as a significant Transnational Criminal Organization underscores the escalating threat it poses to American communities," said Under Secretary for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence Brian Nelson in a press release.

A total of $12 million in rewards have been made ready for any information leading to the arrest and conviction of the organization's leaders.

Dangerous Texas Gangs And Their Rivals

The rise of gang culture in Texas has been a steady one

The more prevalent gangs are, the more likely the average citizen is to cross paths with affiliated members. As the population of Texas has increased in size and diversity, so have the gangs of the Lone Star state.

If you're not mixed up in organized crime shenanigans, then you're probably safe. But as the old adage goes, the more you know the better prepared you are.

Gallery Credit: Sarah Clark