The notorious Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua is making aggressive attempts to breach the U.S. border at El Paso, Texas, armed with weapons and a determination to enter before a new administration takes office.
At a Glance
- Tren de Aragua gang members are attempting armed crossings at the El Paso border
- A leaked memo reveals plans for nightly break-ins, potentially harming Texas National Guard soldiers
- Over 200 migrants have previously breached the border, confronting Texas National Guard
- Texas Governor Greg Abbott has labeled the gang as a foreign terrorist organization
- The gang aims to enter the U.S. before President-elect Donald Trump assumes office
Escalating Border Crisis: Tren de Aragua’s Aggressive Push
As the United States approaches a pivotal political transition, the Tren de Aragua gang from Venezuela is ramping up its efforts to infiltrate the country through the El Paso border. A leaked memo from the Texas Department of Public Safety has revealed alarming plans for repeated border breaches, highlighting the urgency of the situation.
According to the memo, an anonymous informant has warned that these break-ins will “continue every night” around 3 a.m., with the explicit intention to “cause harm” to Texas National Guard soldiers. This intel underscores the violent nature of the gang’s tactics and the immediate threat they pose to law enforcement personnel at the border.
VENEZUELAN GANG MEMBERS TRYING TO ENTER US BEFORE TRUMP INAUGURATION – REPORTS
Members of the Venezuelan criminal group Tren de Aragua are attacking border crossings in El Paso, Texas, to enter the US ahead of President-elect Donald Trump's inauguration, the New York Post… pic.twitter.com/haYF4xtgfA
— Sputnik (@SputnikInt) January 1, 2025
Previous Attempts and Growing Concerns
The gravity of the situation is exemplified by a recent incident where 20 gang members, armed with knives and broken liquor bottles, attempted to force their way through a border gate. This aggressive approach is not isolated, as over 200 migrants have previously managed to breach the border, directly confronting Texas National Guard soldiers in El Paso.
The escalating violence is evident in the increased gunfire incidents near the El Paso border, raising concerns about the safety of both law enforcement and local communities. Texas Governor Greg Abbott has taken a firm stance, designating the Tren de Aragua as a foreign terrorist organization, emphasizing the severe threat they represent to national security.
Race Against Time: Political Transition and Border Security
The timing of these intensified border breach attempts is not coincidental. Victor Avila, a retired Homeland Security Investigations agent, provides insight into the gang’s strategy, “You’re seeing that violence at the border because they know that it’s going to change in 27 days. It’s going to change. It’s going to be different, and they’re going to be sought after.”
This statement underscores the gang’s awareness of the impending change in U.S. administration and their desperation to exploit what they perceive as a closing window of opportunity. The Tren de Aragua’s actions reflect a calculated effort to enter the country before President-elect Donald Trump, known for his stringent border control policies, assumes office.
Expanding Reach and Collaborative Threats
The threat posed by the Tren de Aragua extends beyond the immediate border region. Reports indicate that the gang has established a presence in 16 states, including recent additions like Montana, Virginia, and Wyoming, as well as the District of Columbia. Their collaboration with Mexican cartels for smuggling operations further complicates the border security landscape.
In response to this growing threat, additional state law enforcement resources have been deployed, and a 10-year mandatory minimum sentence has been instituted for gang-related smuggling activities. These measures reflect the seriousness with which Texas authorities are approaching the Tren de Aragua threat.
As the nation approaches this critical juncture in border security, the actions of the Tren de Aragua gang serve as a stark reminder of the ongoing challenges faced at the southern border. The coming weeks will be crucial in determining the effectiveness of current and future border protection strategies against such determined and violent incursions.
