(The Center Square) – The city of Aurora (Colorado) is facing the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua that is now operating in the city as the police department confirms the gang’s presence that it says in impacting the migrant community.
“We urge all community members, including members of our migrant communities, to please report crimes committed against them to their local law enforcement agencies and not remain silent victims,” said the Aurora Police Department in the news release posted on X.
On Aug. 28, a person posted a video on X that claimed an armed group of gang members had taken over an apartment complex. The video showed people armed with firearms walking up the stairs of an apartment complex and knocking on the door. It had 4.4 million views as of Aug. 29.
The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) is also working with the city, according to the news release, stating that the police department has been collecting evidence but will not make any statements regarding incidents and will not be providing details about the police departments plan or operations. The news release stated that the police department believes the reports of the gang are isolated while urging residents and members of the migrant community not to remain silent victims but also to come forward and report the crime.
The city and Aurora Police Department are updating residents on establishing a special task force alongside other local, state, and federal departments to address further the concerns regarding the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua (TdA).
The U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) said in July that the Tren de Aragua, a Venezuela-based transnational criminal organization, was starting to expand across the United States The gang’s activities includes human smuggling and trafficking, gender-based violence, money laundering, and illicit drug trafficking.
“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 July 11 news release. “As part of the Biden-Harris Administration’s efforts to target Transnational Criminal Organizations, we will deploy all tools and authorities against organizations like Tren de Aragua that prey on vulnerable populations to generate revenue, engage in a range of criminal activities across borders, and abuse the U.S. financial system.”
While Denver is no longer able to take on more migrants coming to stay permanently, more migrants have made it to Aurora, a city that passed a resolution in February 2024 stating that it would not be providing aid or resources to migrants entering the city from other municipalities.
“The City Council affirms remaining a Non-Sanctuary City and asserts the City does not currently have the financial capacity to fund new services related to this crisis and demands that other municipalities and entities do not systematically transport migrants or people experiencing homelessness to the City for temporary housing without the City first being given an opportunity to coordinate such assistance with those other municipalities.” Stated the resolution. “We call on the federal government to perform its constitutional duty and secure our nation’s borders. We want to express our appreciation with the State and local governments and other organizations who are dealing with this crisis.”
The city of Aurora and the Aurora Police Department did not respond to emails seeking comment at the time of publication.
