In a decisive move against the Venezuelan criminal gang Tren de Aragua, Texas Governor Greg Abbott has officially classified the group as a terrorist organization, vowing to halt their expansion and eradicate their presence within the state.
The Republican governor's announcement on September 16th underscored the state's commitment to maintaining law and order, and his determination to "put them behind bars."
According to The Post Millennial, Abbott took to social media to express his resolve, stating, "Vicious Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua has taken over many countries already. We must stop them in their tracks. I designated TdA as a foreign terrorist organization & launched a statewide operation to target & arrest them. Texas is hostile territory to this dangerous gang."
The gang, notorious for its criminal activities, has reportedly taken over a hotel in El Paso, Texas, and is operating with impunity in Aurora, Colorado. In New York City alone, over 400 members of Tren de Aragua are believed to be active. The group is also known for extorting "rent" money from tenants in apartment complexes under their control.
Under the Texas Government Code Chapter 2270, Abbott's designation of the gang as a "Foreign Terrorist Organization" empowers law enforcement and other relevant authorities to seize the assets of anyone suspected of affiliating with Tren de Aragua. The group has reportedly become a significant source of drug trafficking in Texas, as reported by The Dallas Express.
Abbott warned of the potential consequences of unchecked gang activity, stating, "If [Tren de Aragua] is unchecked, it will just expand terror and carnage that TdA imposes in whatever country theyve been in." He further emphasized Texas' proactive stance, saying, "Thats why Texas stepped up to be the first state in the United States to say that Tren de Aragua is not going to be not only unwelcome here, but we will be seeking them, we will find them, and we will put them behind bars."
In August, the Dallas Police Department disclosed that the gang had migrated to North Texas, operating out of the Oak of North Dallas apartments. Dallas Police Department spokeswoman Jennifer Pryor confirmed the gang's activities, stating, "We have had gang activity in the North Dallas area linked to the Tren De Aragua gang from Venezuela." She added, "Our department is collaborating with other agencies to address possible crimes linked to this and other gangs in our city." This collaborative effort underscores the state's commitment to preserving peace and security for its residents.
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