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Brothers Linked to Tren de Aragua Released on Bail

VENEZUELANS| Dixon Azuaje-Pérez, 20 years old, and Nixon Azuaje-Pérez, 19 years old. (Photo/APD)

VENEZUELAN MIGRANTS ARRESTED FOR THEIR ALLEGED INVOLVEMENT IN A SHOOTING ON NOME STREET, AURORA, COLORADO.

Newsroom El Comercio de Colorado

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The brothers Dixon Azuaje-Pérez, 20, and Nixon Azuaje-Pérez, 19, Venezuelan migrants and alleged members of the criminal gang Tren de Aragua (TDA), were released following a decision by a county judge in Colorado’s 17th Judicial District, which includes Adams County. The judge set bail at $1,000 and placed them on probation. Both were arrested by the Aurora Police Department (APD) for tampering with evidence related to a shooting that occurred on July 28 on Nome Street.

The APD confirmed in recent days that the brothers may have ties to the Venezuelan gang. The Azuaje-Pérez brothers were arrested on July 29 along with Jhonardy José Pacheco-Chirinos, aka “Galleta,” 21, and Jhonnarty Dejesus Pacheco-Chirinos, 24, who are believed to be members of the TDA. These two individuals face charges of attempted murder and other offenses related to the shooting on Nome Street and remain in the custody of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

Sydney Edward, a spokesperson for the police, confirmed the release of the two detainees and stated that Colorado’s 17th Judicial District is overseeing the legal process for the Azuaje-Pérez brothers. “The Aurora Police did not release the detainees. The imposition of bond and the release was a decision made and implemented by the judge in charge of the case,” said Edward. We have not yet received responses to the questions we sent to the judicial authorities of Adams County.

Unanswered Questions

There are still questions to be answered. Was the judge obligated to release the Azuaje-Pérez brothers? What was the reason for their release? Did the judge receive a request from ICE to transfer the detainees, as was the case with the Pacheco-Chirinos brothers? If the judge received such a request, what was their reasoning for not handing them over to ICE? Does the release of the Azuaje-Pérez brothers have any connection to the implementation of Colorado House Bill 1100, which prohibits county courts from turning over individuals to ICE?