The violent Venezuelan gang Torren de Aragua has recorded a presence in at least 19 states as of December, up from 16 states last month.
Fox News Digital covers Torren de Aragua (TdA) in New York, Colorado, Texas, Georgia, Tennessee, Florida, Illinois, California, Nevada, Montana, Wyoming, Colorado, Louisiana, Virginia, North Carolina, and most regions. We focused on official reports on activities. Recently — Maryland, North Dakota, Arizona, Utah.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has designated TdA a Transnational Criminal Organization (TCO), describing it as a “brutal transnational criminal street gang of Venezuelan origin.”
DHS told Fox News Digital that everyone processed by authorities at the border undergoes rigorous national security and public safety screening, and those identified as a potential threat may be denied entry or He said he could be detained, removed or referred to other federal agencies for further investigation or prosecution. appropriate. DHS also implemented enhanced screening measures at the border to identify known or suspected gang members, including TdA members.
Venezuelan violent group Torren de Aragua expands into one of America's most remote states
Still images from social media videos show suspected juvenile members of the Roosevelt Hotel-based group Tren de Aragua attacking nearby Times Square in a series of robberies. (Obtained by New York Post)
Republican Texas Congressman Troy Neals told FOX News Digital in a statement:[t]The Biden administration's so-called border security policy is allowing millions of illegal aliens to cross our border, including bad guys who are members of the violent Venezuelan gang Torren de Aragua. ”
“For more than two years, I have been warning the Biden administration about violent criminals from Venezuela entering our country. It’s spreading close to the state,” Nehls said.
A series of recent incidents across the United States highlight the threat TdA members pose to public safety in urban and suburban areas alike.
On Friday, New York City police officials conducted a major raid in multiple locations between Brooklyn and the Bronx, arresting about 20 men with suspected gang ties.
Bronx apartment building where suspected Torren de Aragua members were arrested on December 5th (Google Maps)
On December 5, New York City police raided a building next door to a Bronx daycare that gang members were using as a hideout as part of a larger bust. new york post First reported.
Venezuelan national and Torren de Aragua gang member arrested in President Trump's backyard
Earlier this week, authorities in Aurora, Colorado, arrested 14 gang members, possibly TdA, after receiving a report of an armed home invasion at an apartment complex where victims were kidnapped and assaulted.
aurora police station Chief Todd Chamberlain said at a news conference Tuesday that the arrest was “without a doubt a gang incident.”
“We don't yet know what gang they belong to,” Chamberlain said, adding: “There is speculation that they are likely affiliated with TdA.” [Tren de Aragua] “Gangs,” he said, but declined to say specifically which gangs were involved as he was unsure at this time.
Members of the police gang unit search for evidence at an apartment building at 12th and Dallas in Aurora, Colorado, Tuesday, Dec. 17, 2024. The residence was the scene of a reported home invasion overnight. (Fox News Digital) (Fox News Digital)
a previous incident Earlier this year, an incident at the same apartment complex where TdA members banged on doors and brandished weapons drew national attention.
Venezuelan gang members arrested in southern state this week; authorities warn of resurgence in Torren de Aragua
On Dec. 3, international and local law enforcement agencies arrested a criminal described as “a high-ranking Torren de Aragua fugitive from Venezuela with a history of violent crimes, including human trafficking, robbery, terrorism, weapons offenses, and desertion.” The suspect was arrested. In Tennessee.
Surge in TDA activity in Tennessee:
Interpol Washington arrested the suspect in Memphis on November 19th.
“Tren de Aragua is infiltrating the flow of migrants from Venezuela and has emerged as a significant threat to the United States,” Jeffrey A. Grimming, Interpol's acting Washington director, said in a Dec. 3 statement. mentioned in. “Interpol Washington continues to provide critical intelligence to our law enforcement partners across the continent to strengthen our borders and national security, ensuring these violent gang members cannot find a safe haven in our country. I will go.”
Heritage Report presents roadmap to defeat Torren de Aragua, the mega gang that is taking over the city
Last week, Maryland ICE Director Matthew Elliston warned that TdA members were heading to Baltimore.
Still images from a video on social media show juvenile members of the Roosevelt Hotel-based group Tren de Aragua attacking nearby Times Square in a series of robberies. (Obtained by New York Post)
This year, the gang has been involved in the Aurora apartment complex debacle, the November intrusion of TdA members into the Manhattan prosecutor's office, and the February murder of Augusta University student Laken Riley (the suspect's younger brother is a TdA member).
“Venezuela's criminal organization has been described as 'MS-13 on steroids' and has established drug trafficking, migrant smuggling, human trafficking, and extortion networks across the United States.”
”[E]Earlier this summer, Immigration and Customs Enforcement's (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) determined that a Venezuelan gang called Torren de Aragua (TdA) had given its members the “green light” to attack and shoot at the United States. and alerted local police across the country. law enforcement,” House Homeland Security, Emergency Management and Technology Subcommittee Chairman Anthony D’Esposito, RN.Y., said during a hearing earlier this month.
Images taken from federal court filings include a photo of Diego Ibarra's alleged fake green card and what prosecutors say is evidence of his alleged ties to the Venezuelan gang Torren de Aragua. is included. (Central District of Georgia)
TdA apparently began inside Venezuelan prisons.
Although the gang's presence is known in the 19 states mentioned above, TdA may exist in other states that are not widely reported.
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Aurora police said they feel they need more help from the federal government to address crime issues in Torren de Aragua. (@AuroraPD, via X)
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Sheriff Kieran Donahue of Canyon County, Idaho, told reporters in September that he had received information “about TdA traveling across the state of Idaho to commit crimes.”
“Thankfully, to my knowledge, there have been no reports of TdA activity in Canyon County or elsewhere in the Treasure Valley. That said, I believe TdA is a very dangerous gang. And national reports show they're growing rapidly. It makes sense that we'll see them in Idaho eventually,” Donahue said.
Congressman Neals said in a statement to Fox News Digital that Americans “certainly have a right to be concerned about Torren de Aragua's growing presence in our country.”
“The sad reality is that the Biden administration knows violent criminals are coming to our country and it just doesn't care. That's why the American people voted overwhelmingly to put President Trump back in the White House.” “I voted for it,” Nehls said. “I look forward to working with President Trump, Tom Homan, and Kristi Noem to secure our borders and make America safe again.”
According to DHS, individuals identified or suspected of being gang members must be referred for criminal prosecution or sent for expedited deportation and taken into custody. Federal authorities are working with law enforcement to crack down on TdA and enhance public safety, the department said.
