Venezuelan Gang Members Apprehended at Texas Border, Raising Safety Concerns

Four individuals connected to the Tren de Aragua (TdA) gang were recently apprehended while trying to cross the U.S.-Mexico border, as announced by Texas Governor Greg Abbott. These individuals were among 22 suspected illegal migrants detained by the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) in Val Verde County on New Year’s Eve. Governor Abbott reaffirmed the importance of ensuring the safety and security of Texans, particularly in light of the growing menace posed by TdA.

The group, which included migrants from Colombia, Mexico, Peru, and Venezuela, saw eleven arrested for criminal trespass while the others, predominantly families, were handed over to Border Patrol for further processing. The four gang members were part of a larger cohort of nine Venezuelans claiming intentions to travel within Texas. Authorities were able to confirm their affiliation with the gang through social media evidence and visible tattoos associated with TdA.

Identified by their names and ages, the gang members included Segundo Ocando-Mejia, who had tattoos suggesting a leadership status within the organization. Governor Abbott has classified TdA as a foreign terrorist group, implementing a statewide initiative to undermine their criminal activities. He has directed the DPS to treat them as a Tier 1 gang, creating a specialized task force dedicated to tracking down and apprehending gang members.

Abbott emphasized his commitment to eliminating TdA’s influence in Texas, insisting the gang should not establish a presence in the state. The gang has been involved in a wide range of violent crimes, including homicides and assaults on law enforcement, and is reportedly operational in 16 states according to a recent Homeland Security memo. Abbott also announced a reward of up to $5,000 for tips leading to the capture of known gang members engaged in criminal activities.

This situation comes shortly after a series of arrests involving TdA gang members in New York City, where several were found hiding in a Bronx apartment complex, raising alarm over their infiltration into urban areas. This development underscores the challenges law enforcement faces in addressing the operations of this notorious gang within communities.