Tren de Aragua Threatens Police in Denver

MAYOR JOHNSTON: “WE HAVE NO PATIENCE FOR LAWBREAKERS”

Newsroom El Comercio de Colorado Staff

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The Denver Police Department (DPD) is on high alert after receiving reports that the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua has given the “green light” to attack and kill its officers. In mid-July, the U.S. Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) shared intelligence with the U.S. intelligence community about the possible presence of Tren de Aragua members in the Denver area and other parts of Colorado.

This bulletin, which has not been fully released, suggests that the leaders of the Venezuelan criminal organization have authorized their members to shoot at officers from the DPD, Aurora Police Department, and police from other cities and counties across various areas of Colorado. This information became known following a notification by the Albuquerque Police Department (APD), New Mexico, to its officers.

The Denver Police Department has acknowledged the warning and is monitoring the situation. “As with any information about potential criminal activity that may affect other jurisdictions, details are shared among agencies. The DPD is monitoring and alerting officers about security concerns shared by our law enforcement partners,” said a department spokesperson.

Mayor Johnston Responds

In response to this alarming situation, Denver Mayor Mike Johnston expressed his firm stance against any new migrants who come to break the law and commit crimes. Johnston emphasized, “We will arrest them, put them in jail, and even deport them if necessary. We have no patience for those who break the rules.”

Johnston assured that the safety of citizens is a top priority for his administration. “We are going to create a city that welcomes those who come to work and be good citizens. But if people come here to break the rules and laws, there is no place for them here,” the mayor declared.

Mayor Johnston did not specifically confirm whether he is aware of the presence of Tren de Aragua members. Instead, he focused on reiterating his administration’s commitment to maintaining safety in Denver and working closely with law enforcement to identify and apprehend those involved in criminal activities. The mayor stated, “I talk to the police chief almost daily. We follow up on every incident involving crimes.”

The Tren de Aragua Threat

Unlike Johnston, HSI confirmed that Tren de Aragua, which originated from a prison in the city of the same name in Venezuela, is operating in Colorado. The agency did not provide further details, except that “apprehending and removing” these gang members is a priority for immigration authorities. This criminal organization has expanded throughout the Americas and has now reached the United States.

Tren de Aragua is believed to have established its “headquarters” in El Paso, Texas, and has already had confrontations with law enforcement in Chicago and Miami. This gang is known for its criminal activities, including extortion, kidnapping, murder, and sex trafficking. It is estimated that its membership has grown and infiltrated several communities through migration, taking advantage of the protective measures Venezuelan migrants receive.

Authorities have linked Tren de Aragua to multiple acts of violence and organized crime in the U.S. Recently, the gang has drawn additional attention due to its connections with serious crimes and its attempt to establish itself in the country, representing a significant threat to public safety. The FBI has also warned about the possibility of Tren de Aragua collaborating with the dangerous MS-13 in some areas.

Report Suspicious Activities

John Fabbricatore, former director of the ICE office in Colorado, warned that members of this gang are taking control of apartment buildings in the Denver metropolitan area. This expert encourages the migrant population, who are not involved in the gang’s criminal activities, to report any irregularities they may observe in the residential complexes where they live to the authorities.

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Tren de Aragua Threatens Police in Denver