The notorious Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua (TdA) has made a violent entry into the United States, raising alarms among law enforcement agencies and local communities. A recent video showing heavily armed gang members roaming an apartment complex in Aurora, Colorado, has spotlighted the growing influence of TdA in America. The gang, which originated in Venezuelan prisons, has expanded northward over the past decade and is now believed to have over 1,000 members operating within the U.S.
Law enforcement and federal authorities are increasingly concerned about the gang’s involvement in high-profile crimes across the country, with many of its members entering through the southern border amidst the recent surge in migration.
The Rise of Tren de Aragua in the U.S.
Tren de Aragua, one of the largest and most violent transnational criminal organizations in Venezuela, was formed in the late 2000s in the Tocorón prison, located in Venezuela’s Aragua state. With an estimated 7,000 members across South America, the gang has established a stronghold in several countries through extortion, drug trafficking, human smuggling, and violent crimes. U.S. authorities believe that over 1,000 of its members are currently operating within the country.
Federal agencies, including Customs and Border Protection (CBP), first raised alarms about the gang’s presence earlier this year. In a March bulletin, CBP alerted agents to the gang’s distinctive tattoos and identifiers, including images of Michael Jordan’s jersey number 23, clocks, crowns, trains, and gas masks—often seen on its members. The gang is believed to have entered the U.S. through the southern border, taking advantage of loopholes in the immigration system.
Gang-Related Violence and Arrests
In Texas, law enforcement officials have already arrested ten migrants linked to Tren de Aragua as part of a broader crackdown on gang activity. Congressman Tony Gonzales (R-TX) has warned that TdA is rapidly expanding its influence in the U.S., saying, “We’re seeing more people coming across the border illegally with ties to Tren de Aragua. Until we get the border crisis under control, more and more bad actors will take advantage of the loopholes in our immigration system.”
Reports from New York earlier this year also connected the gang to more than 60 robberies, as well as the brutal assault of two NYPD officers. Meanwhile, the gang has been linked to the killing of Georgia student Laken Riley, with authorities confirming that the brother of one of the suspects had ties to TdA.
Most recently, Aurora, Colorado, has become a focal point of concern. Law enforcement in the city has identified at least 10 known members of Tren de Aragua, including two brothers whose arrest affidavits were released this week. These arrests follow an unsettling video of armed men storming an apartment building in Aurora, knocking down doors, and terrorizing residents. The gang is believed to have taken control of multiple apartment complexes in the area, though local officials have downplayed the scope of their influence.
Aurora Police spokespersons have stated that the situation is still developing, and it is “too soon to quantify TdA’s presence in Aurora one way or another.” However, the city’s mayor has admitted that several buildings under the same out-of-state ownership have been impacted by gang activity. A police statement emphasized that criminal elements are being actively identified and arrested, although some residents point to poor living conditions rather than a full-scale gang takeover.
National and International Concerns
The expansion of Tren de Aragua in the U.S. has sparked concerns of a potential alliance with other violent gangs, such as MS-13, which could exacerbate the already high levels of gang-related violence in the country. ICE recently confirmed that four known or suspected gang members involved in a July shooting in Aurora were illegal immigrants who had previously been caught and released at the border.
Border Patrol Chief Jason Owens has described TdA as a “serious threat” to U.S. communities. The gang’s violent activities across Central and South America have now spilled over into the U.S., creating a complex challenge for law enforcement and immigration authorities.
As law enforcement agencies continue to monitor TdA’s movements and activities, federal and local authorities are ramping up efforts to dismantle the gang’s operations in the U.S., particularly in cities like Aurora and Denver, where its presence has been increasingly felt.
