Aragua Train in the United States: Are Venezuelan gang members taking over buildings in Colorado to collect extortion? This is what the US police say

Last week a news item attracted enormous attention in USA. The EFE agency and other local media reported that the Latino community in the metropolitan area of ​​Denver, state of Coloradohad reported that gang members of the Venezuelan criminal gang Aragua Train They were taking over some buildings and houses in the area, threatening and extorting residents to pay rent directly to them. How much truth is there in this news that has even aroused the interest of the presidential candidate himself? Donald Trump and other Republican Party leaders?

On social media a video went viral video where you see a group of Armed men violently break into an apartment in the city of Aurora. Then, the mayor of that city, Mike Coffmanconfirmed that the Aragua Train had taken control of several apartment complexes.

Trump echoed the video where the criminals are seen carrying rifles and pistols.

“Have you seen what is happening in Colorado? Venezuelan gangs have taken over parts of the city and seized apartments… “You saw it the other day, they’re kicking down doors and taking over people’s apartments,” Trump said at a rally.

The tycoon promised to carry out a massive deportation of criminals if he is elected president and at the same time blamed the president’s administration Joe Biden already the vice president Kamala Harris due to the presence of foreign gang members in the United States.

Trump He also insisted that Venezuela is emptying its prisons to send criminals to the United States.

In its note, EFE cited the Colorado Immigrant Rights Coalition (CIRC)who said that the gang members have not only taken over the apartment building that appears in the video, but have also done the same with houses in the area.

CIRC and other community organizations are seeking additional information on the case of an immigrant woman who received threats against her and her teenage son in front of her home, allegedly by gang members from the Aragua Trainsuggesting that he sleep “with his eyes open,” EFE reported.

“We cannot defend ourselves. I did not go to work for fear that they would see me go out and attack my son and my nephew,” said the immigrant.

Community leader Yaeel Duarte told EFE that she feels “impotent” due to the lack of public safety in Auroraand said that “this mother must be protected, she and all the families that are under attack and threats.”

Police deny the complaint

However, Aurora police denied that the Aragua Train had taken control of an apartment complex.

During a visit to the departments where the gunmen were recorded, the acting head of the police of AuroraHeather Morris told reporters that gang members had not taken control of the building and were not collecting rent or extorting residents.

“I’m not saying there aren’t gang members who don’t live in this community.“Morris said.

He stressed that the police “made an effort” over the past few days to “make sure people don’t pay rent to gang leaders or members.”

For its part, the CIRC said it agrees with the police version.

“Police, officials and residents of the apartment complex themselves have denied these false stories, and we believe it is irresponsible to promote them,” he said. Gladys Ibarraco-executive director of the CIRC.

“This type of fear only creates a more dangerous environment, opening the door to hate and racism attacks against the immigrant community.”he added.

While the mayor Coffmana Republican and former congressman, backtracked and admitted that “I wasn’t sure where the truth was in all this.”

In an interview with the Denver7 television channel, Coffman said that the version that the whole Aurora was unsafe, untrue and damaging to the economy of the rapidly growing city of more than 400,000 people, the AP reported.

As for the video showing the gunmen, former residents of the building who recorded it told KDVR-TV that it was recorded before a shooting at the complex on Aug. 18 that left one person dead.

Aurora Police Department spokeswoman Sydney Edwards said they have been in possession of the video and evidence contained within. She said she could not comment further on an ongoing investigation, AP reported.

Many of the Venezuelan immigrants and from other Latin American countries who live in the apartment complex stated that there are no criminal gangs there and that they are being unfairly labeled as criminals.

The Aragua Train is a criminal organization

The gang was formed in Tocorón prison in Venezuela and is involved in drug trafficking, extortion, homicide and human trafficking. Its activities have spread across several Latin American countries, including Peru. In the United States, it has a presence in cities such as El Paso, Chicago and New York.

A working group against the Aragua Train

In mid-August, Colorado police admit that there is a limited presence of the Aragua Train in Denverwhich is why state authorities, together with federal authorities, announced the creation of a task force to identify and arrest members of that gang.

“Based on our initial research, we believe that reports on the influence of Aragua Train in Aurora “They are isolated. We urge all members of the community, including members of our migrant community, to report crimes committed against them to local authorities and not remain silent,” police said at the time.

The new squad, EFE reported, will have the support of the Regional Anti-Violence Law Enforcement Network (RAVEN), which is part of the federal government’s Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF), a team specialized in arresting “violent criminals, gang members and drug traffickers.”

The final decision on forming the task force was made in late July after 3,000 to 4,000 Venezuelans gathered in the parking lot of a shopping mall in Aurora on July 28 to protest the results of their country’s presidential election, an unauthorized act that raised concerns among local authorities about the disruptions it caused, EFE said.