It’s been hard to miss all the rumors and hysteria around the Venezuelan gang that has supposedly “taken over” several apartment buildings in the Denver metro area. Between the alarming videos of men armed with machine guns on social media and sensational headlines from the New York Post and Fox News — here’s what we actually know, and what’s just speculation.
What is Tren de Aragua?
Reported to have originated among union workers on an unfinished railway project, the gang grew as leaders directed transnational human trafficking and drug smuggling operations from within Tocorón prison in the region of Aragua. Shortly after Venezuelan security forces raided the prison to retake control last year, the Biden administration designated the gang a transnational criminal organization.
Is Tren de Aragua Actually Here?
Officials in both Denver and Aurora have acknowledged “components” of Tren de Aragua in the area, but maintained criminal incidents are isolated and the situation is being closely monitored.
When reporters at Denver7 reached out to Homeland Security Investigations about Tren de Aragua’s possible presence in Colorado, a spokesperson said the agency “is aware of recent violent crime and arrests in Colorado involving individuals allegedly associated with the Tren de Aragua gang and continues to assess emerging trends and assist partner law enforcement agencies.”
How Worried Should the Public Be?
Although officials emphasize that they are taking the situation very seriously, the mayors of Denver and Aurora both agree the online narrative of “brutal gang violence spilling into a quiet suburb from a sanctuary city next door” has been greatly exaggerated.
Aurora mayor Mike Coffman said that “significant arrests” have already been made in connection with specific crimes, while Denver mayor Mike Johnston suggested that the “much bigger risk” to the public would be in wrongly thinking that all newcomers from Venezuela pose a threat.
Learn More
Listen to this recent podcast episode of City Cast Denver, where we dig deeper into what we do — and don’t — know about Tren de Aragua’s presence here, plus what local leaders are doing about it, and what all this means for politics in the presidential election year.
