Jan 1, 2025, 2:02 AM
Dec 31, 2024, 12:00 AM

Tren de Aragua gang assaults Texas border in desperate bid to enter US

Tragic
Highlights
  • Members of the Tren de Aragua gang have been attacking U.S. southern border crossings with knives, attempting to break into the country.
  • Mexican authorities arrested three migrants, suspected of involvement in the murder of an immigration agent, with connections to the gang.
  • Authorities in Texas have classified Tren de Aragua as a terrorist organization in response to heightened violence and threats at the border.
Story

In recent days, members of Tren de Aragua, a Venezuelan gang, have been aggressively targeting U.S. border crossings, particularly around El Paso, Texas. Reports indicate they are armed with knives, attempting to forcibly enter the U.S. before the anticipated changes in government policies. An anonymous tip has alerted Texas authorities to the gang's plans to continue their assaults nightly, escalating the violence and creating significant strain on border patrol officers. These actions have raised concerns about the safety of border guards and National Guard stationed in the area. Further compounding the situation, Mexican law enforcement recently arrested three migrants, two of whom are linked to the Tren de Aragua gang, in connection with the brutal murder of a decorated immigration agent. The agent, Luis Alberto Olivas, was killed while on duty near Ciudad Juarez, Chihuahua, after the migrants became aggressive during a routine inspection. This incident underscores the deadly nature of the gang's operations and their potential threat to U.S. law enforcement. Texas Governor Greg Abbott has taken decisive action, declaring Tren de Aragua a foreign terrorist organization. This classification aims to facilitate law enforcement responses aimed at dismantling the gang's operations within Texas. The governor emphasized the need to protect state citizens from this growing threat, citing alarming increases in gunfire and violence at the border. Authorities have been using pepper balls and other deterrent measures against groups attempting to breach the border as efforts intensify to curb the gang's forceful entries. The situation remains volatile, with Tren de Aragua seemingly collaborating with Mexican cartels for human smuggling and other criminal activities. Their violent ideology has raised comparisons to terrorist groups, further complicating the security landscape at the U.S.-Mexico border. As the gang continues to launch attacks and evade law enforcement, both the U.S. and Mexican governments face pressing challenges in addressing this emerging threat to border security and public safety.

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