U.S. Authorities Targeting Venezuelan Tren de Aragua Gang, Making Hundreds of Arrests

Last year the City of Aurora and its police department said reports of the gang operating in the area were conflated and considerably exaggerated, claiming the incidents were isolated.

UNITED STATES - Following reports last year of the Venezuelan Tren de Aragua (TdA) gang allegedly taking control of parts of Aurora, Colorado—including claims of managing apartment complexes and attempting to break into apartments—authorities have escalated efforts to dismantle the group.

100+ Members Of The Tren De Aragua (TdA) Gang Arrested In Colorado After Reports They Were Taking Over The City

Update On Venezuelan TdA Gang Activity In Aurora, Colorado

Aurora Police Department Addresses Claims That Parts Of City Have Been Taken Over By Venezuelan Gang

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) announced the arrest of 68 TdA members in less than a week, according to a statement by the Department of Homeland Security.

video snapshot showing what's alleged to be armed Venezuelan gang members attempting to break into an apartment in Aurora, Colorado

This operation is part of a broader crackdown that has seen 394 TdA members arrested in under 100 days of the Trump administration, which began with President Trump designating TdA a Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO) and Specially Designated Global Terrorist (SDGT) on his first day in office.

These designations have enabled stricter sanctions, asset freezes, and a "whole of government" approach to combat the gang, known for human trafficking, kidnapping, drug trafficking, and violent crimes, including the murders of nursing student Laken Riley and 12-year-old Jocelyn Nungaray.

Statements From the City Of Aurora, Police Department Last Year On The Reports The Gang Had Been Carrying Out Operations, Full Report: