Press Article: Venezuelan Gang’s Expansion Poses Challenges for U.S. Cities
Aurora, CO – The Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua (TdA) has taken hold in apartment complexes across both Aurora, Colorado, and San Antonio, Texas, utilizing similar tactics to assert control over communities largely populated by Venezuelan nationals who arrived after illegally traversing the southern border. The gang’s actions have raised alarms locally and prompted contrasting responses from law enforcement.
In San Antonio, police conducted a significant operation known as “Operation Aurora,” which involved arresting over 20 individuals, including confirmed TdA members, following reports of drug trafficking and threats against personnel at the Palatia Apartments. Police Chief William McManus vowed to confront the gang, stating, “We know where you are, and we’re coming for you.”
Conversely, Aurora officials have opted for a more drastic approach, closing down the Aspen Grove complex due to health and safety concerns, thereby displacing approximately 300 residents. City leaders are now pursuing legal actions to shut down another complex linked to TdA. Aurora Police Chief Todd Chamberlain noted that shutting down properties is a strategy meant to disrupt the gang’s illicit activities, although concerns have been raised about merely relocating gang members rather than dismantling their operations.
The differing strategies have drawn criticism from experts, including University of Colorado Boulder sociologist David Pyrooz, who described the eviction approach as “very rare” and questioned its effectiveness. Aurora City Councilwoman Danielle Jurinsky voiced her concerns that closing complexes might exacerbate the situation, pushing gang members to other locations.
The international influence of TdA, characterized by a diverse array of criminal enterprises, has led to its classification as a major threat to U.S. public safety. Recent incidents of violence, including a brutal kidnapping of a couple in Aurora, underscore the severe implications of the gang’s activities. Residents are calling for sustained action to ensure safety and comprehensively address the gang issue.