Agents from Homeland Security in Texas made significant progress in combating the Tren de Aragua gang, apprehending two individuals from Venezuela linked to this notorious organization. The arrests took place on September 19 in San Antonio during an operation aimed at addressing the violence associated with the gang, which has expanded its reach across the United States over the past decade.

The Justice Department indicated that these two suspects were allegedly implicated in a conspiracy involving the illicit transportation of firearms. After their arrest, both men were handed over to Immigration and Customs Enforcement due to their immigration status violations. The operation also saw collaboration with the San Antonio Police Department and the Texas Department of Public Safety, highlighting a joined effort to tackle gang-related crime.

Tren de Aragua, which has been linked to a series of violent incidents in the U.S., has earned notoriety this year, particularly for high-profile crimes that have brought it to the attention of local authorities. Many of its members are reportedly entering the U.S. through the southern border, coinciding with the recent surge in migration trends.

In recent instances, the gang has been implicated in various crimes in cities such as Aurora, Colorado, where reports have surfaced about the group taking control of entire apartment complexes. Texas Governor Greg Abbott declared the Tren de Aragua a "foreign terrorist organization," prompting a more vigorous approach to dismantling the gang's operations in Texas. His administration is committed to preventing the gang from establishing a base in the state, stating that it will not allow their activities to threaten public safety. Abbott has also tasked the Texas Department of Public Safety with the elevation of the gang's threat level and the formation of a specialized strike team aimed at identifying and capturing gang members.