Texas Designates The Violent Tren de Aragua Gang As A Terrorist Organization

Texas Governor Greg Abbott and the State of Texas is taking steps to combat the violent Venezuelan gang known as Tren de Aragua, also known as TdA.

During a Monday press conference, Governor Abbott declared Tren de Aragua a "foreign terrorist organization". The Governor announced that Texas will launch a statewide operation that will target the gang in an attempt to disrupt TdA's criminal operations. The move is also an attempt to stop the gang from gaining a large foothold in Texas.

Read More: Dangerous Venezuelan Gang Tightens Grip On Texas With Takeover Of El Paso Hotel 

According to FOX News, Abbott called on the Texas Department of Public Safety to elevate the gang to a Tier 1 gang and to create a "TdA Strike Team". This team would identify and arrest TdA gang members along with keeping a database that will help to identify which immigrants are part of the vicious gang.

Get our free mobile app

Director of the Texas Department of Public Safety blasted Tren de Aragua during the press conference according to FOX News.

"Tren de Aragua gangsters are like cockroaches," said DPS Director McCraw. "They multiply quickly; small intrusions into communities become infestations if not aggressively pursued. These Venezuelan thugs are highly combative, violent, and certainly adaptable."

McCraw also pointed out the Tren de Aragua is involved in many violent acts including kidnapping, rape, assaults, and sex trafficking. The gang is not only active in Texas, but in several states across the nation and it's been reported that the gang will target police officers. Below is a video from the New York Post documenting how the violent gang turned Aurora, Colorado into a war zone.

The New York Post also reports that over 100 suspected TdA gang members were part of the group that rushed the border back in March.