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ICE detains members of Tren de Aragua after being released on bail

IN DENVER |Dixon Azuaje-Pérez, 20, and Nixon Azuaje-Pérez, 19, under ICE custody.

THE IMMIGRATION AGENCY CAPTURED THE AZUAJE-PÉREZ BROTHERS AFTER A JUDGE FROM THE 17TH JUDICIAL DISTRICT OF COLORADO GRANTED THEM RELEASE ON BAIL

Newsroom El Comercio de Colorado

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Brothers Dixon Azuaje-Pérez, 20, and Nixon Azuaje-Pérez, 19, Venezuelan migrants and alleged members of the criminal gang Tren de Aragua (TDA), were detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) after having been released on bail by a judge from Colorado’s 17th Judicial District. Initially, a judge had set a bail of one thousand dollars, granting them conditional freedom.

However, ICE’s action led to their re-arrest, and they are currently detained at the Denver Contract Detention Facility. Both had been arrested by the Aurora Police Department (APD) on July 29, accused of tampering with evidence related to a shooting that occurred on July 28 on Nome Street in Aurora. The APD had confirmed that the brothers might be linked to the Venezuelan criminal gang Tren de Aragua, a criminal organization that has gained notoriety both in their home country and in the United States.

On July 29, the Azuaje-Pérez brothers were arrested along with Jhonardy José Pacheco-Chirinos, aka “Galleta,” 21, and Jhonnarty Dejesus Pacheco-Chirinos, 24, who are believed to be members of TDA. The latter two face charges of attempted murder and other crimes related to the Nome Street shooting. The Pacheco-Chirinos brothers also remain in ICE custody.

Authorities’ Reaction

Sydney Edward, a spokesperson for the Aurora Police, confirmed the initial release of the Azuaje-Pérez brothers, attributing it to a judicial decision. “The imposition of bail and release was a decision made by the judge in charge of the case, not by Aurora Police,” Edward clarified. Although it has been confirmed that the 17th Judicial District of Colorado is overseeing the legal process, many questions remain about the circumstances that led to their release and subsequent capture by ICE.

Unanswered Questions

Several doubts persist regarding this case: Was the judge obligated to release the Azuaje-Pérez brothers? Did the judge receive a request from ICE to transfer the detainees, as happened with the Pacheco-Chirinos brothers? If the judge received such a request, what was the argument for not handing them over to ICE? Is this situation related to Colorado’s HB 1100, which prevents local courts from turning over detainees to ICE?