Texas Governor Greg Abbott declares Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua a foreign terrorist organization, intensifying efforts to combat their criminal activities across the state.
At a Glance
- Governor Abbott designates Tren de Aragua as a foreign terrorist organization in Texas
- The gang, originating from Venezuela, is involved in human smuggling, kidnapping, and drug trafficking
- Texas Department of Public Safety directed to create a strike team targeting the gang
- Over 3,000 undocumented Venezuelans arrested in Texas for crimes linked to the gang since 2021
- El Paso identified as a significant operational base for Tren de Aragua in Texas
Governor Abbott Takes Action Against Venezuelan Gang
In a bold move to address the growing threat of organized crime, Texas Governor Greg Abbott has officially declared the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua a foreign terrorist organization. This declaration comes in response to the gang’s expanding criminal activities across Texas and other parts of the United States.
The Tren de Aragua, which originated in a prison in Venezuela, has been rapidly expanding its operations into Central America and the United States. The gang is known for its involvement in human smuggling, kidnapping, extortion, and drug trafficking, with a particular focus on exploiting migrants.
Today, I announced that Texas is aggressively targeting the dangerous Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua.
I also designated them as a foreign terrorist organization.
We are a law-and-order state, and we will defend Texas from this threat.
More: https://t.co/4zQk0FPxmb pic.twitter.com/EUrn0z3qlO
— Gov. Greg Abbott (@GovAbbott) September 16, 2024
Texas Takes Aggressive Stance Against Criminal Organization
Governor Abbott has directed the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) to create a specialized strike team to target Tren de Aragua’s operations within the state. This team will include DPS Highway Patrol troopers, Special Agents, and Texas Rangers, working in coordination with Texas Anti-Gang (TAG) Centers and other law enforcement agencies.
“The recent entry and expansion of the vicious Venezuelan gang, Tren de Aragua, is a dangerous and deadly problem facing our state and nation,” said Governor Abbott. “We will bring the full weight of the government against the TDA by declaring TDA a foreign terrorist organization. Texas will use the courts to halt their operations, use civil asset forfeiture to take their property, use enhanced criminal penalties to keep them in jail, behind bars for longer periods of time.”
The declaration of Tren de Aragua as a foreign terrorist organization allows for increased sentences for crimes committed by gang members and opens the door for civil penalties. Texas law enforcement is also working to create a comprehensive database to track individuals affiliated with the gang.
El Paso: Ground Zero for Tren de Aragua Activity
El Paso has been identified as a significant operational base for Tren de Aragua in Texas. Recently, over 100 gang members were arrested at the Gateway Hotel in El Paso, which was subsequently shut down due to broad criminal activity. This incident highlights the severity of the gang’s presence in the area.
“El Paso was the gang’s ‘ground zero.'”
Since 2021, Texas law enforcement has arrested over 3,000 undocumented Venezuelans for crimes linked to Tren de Aragua. This staggering number underscores the urgent need for action against the gang’s operations.
Political Implications and Border Security Debate
Governor Abbott has placed blame for the increase in gang activity on President Joe Biden’s immigration policies. The issue of Tren de Aragua’s presence in the United States has become a focal point in the ongoing debate over border security and immigration reform.
“With this gang, they’re not like traditional MS-13s where you can see them coming a mile away with the crazy tattoos all over their faces,” said National Border Patrol Council Vice President Cabrera.
The designation of Tren de Aragua as a foreign terrorist organization in Texas aligns with recent federal actions. In July, the U.S. Department of the Treasury declared Tren de Aragua a transnational criminal organization, and the U.S. State Department has offered rewards for information leading to the arrest or conviction of the gang’s leaders.
