Tucson, Arizona Sees Presence of Venezuelan Gang
The notorious Venezuelan gang, Tren de Aragua, has recently made its way to southern Arizona, drawing significant public concern.
According to the Cochise County Sheriff’s Office, a suspect connected to this gang was arrested for involvement in a human smuggling case. This adds Arizona to the list of locations where this dangerous group has been reported.
“This is very concerning. It’s the first time I’ve come across a member of the Tren de Aragua gang being found in Arizona,” said Rep. Juan Ciscomani. He represents Cochise County and worries that the influence of this infamous Venezuelan prison gang may be expanding.
The gang has garnered attention recently, especially following a shocking video showing a member armed with automatic weapons taking over a hotel in Colorado.
They are tied to numerous violent incidents across the nation. In August, the American Sheriff’s Alliance issued alerts indicating that gang members might be targeting law enforcement officials.
The gang has become a prominent topic during Donald Trump’s campaign, illustrating what some claim to be a border crisis under the Biden administration—a stance echoed by Ciscomani.
“We have stated repeatedly that an open border invites criminals to enter and engage in illegal activities,” he remarked.
The Cochise County Sheriff’s Office did not reveal the identity of the suspect, who was 25 years old and had fled from the Texas border, claiming exile while being linked to smuggling operations in Cochise County.
As reported by our sister station, Telemundo Arizona, some Venezuelan immigrants expressed fear of gang activities impacting their communities.
“This is a common fear for all of us. We’ve seen what they can do back home,” one immigrant shared.
Residents of Cochise County are becoming increasingly aware of Tren de Aragua. One local commented, “I’ve heard of them. It’s baffling how many gangs operate in the U.S.” Another resident, Karen Boaz from Benson, added, “Kids just get swept in and think joining a gang is the answer. We’re grappling with corruption on both sides until we deal with term limits.”
Customs and Border Protection officials stated they have no information regarding Tren de Aragua within the Tucson sector. However, the recent arrests illustrate that members can easily travel across the nation after entering through Texas.
