On Wednesday, police and local officials in Aurora, Colorado, announced the arrest of 10 members of the transnational gang Tren de Aragua. This development comes amidst growing concern over the gang’s impact on the safety of children in the United States, a concern that has been highlighted by operators from the Children’s International Rescue Foundation (CIRF) who have personal experiences combating the gangs recent activities involving child trafficking in Colombia.
Aurora has recently drawn significant attention following the viral circulation of surveillance footage showing armed men taking over an apartment building. This incident has exacerbated fears about gang activity in the area.
Aurora Mayor Mike Coffman and Council Member Danielle Jurinsky, the chair of the Public Safety Committee, released a joint statement supported by the city manager and the Aurora Police Department. The statement confirmed that the Aurora Police Department (APD) had been investigating connections to Tren de Aragua well before the gang’s activities gained national media attention. According to the statement, APD had already linked 10 individuals to Tren de Aragua, with eight of them arrested so far.
Two of the arrested individuals were involved in a July shooting at a location known for Tren de Aragua-related issues. The statement also noted that criminal activities tied to the gang had significantly impacted certain properties in Aurora.
The Aurora Police Department indicated that the 10 arrested individuals face various charges, including child abuse, attempted first-degree murder, and illegal discharge of a firearm. All 10 are documented members of Tren de Aragua. One of the warrants dates back to November 2023 and is linked to an assault at the Whispering Pines apartments in Aurora.
The involvement of Tren de Aragua members in child abuse and other violent crimes has raised alarms among child protection advocates, including CIRF, which is familiar with the serious threats posed by such gangs to the security of children in the United States.
A joint task force has been established to tackle Tren de Aragua’s activities in the region, involving Aurora PD along with local, state, and federal partners. The statement reassured the public that these issues are confined to specific areas and that the gang has not taken over the city as some social media claims and media reports have suggested.
Governor Jared Polis, who signed legislation in 2019 making Colorado a sanctuary state, was previously criticized for downplaying the apartment takeovers in Aurora. His office has since responded to the arrest news, emphasizing Colorado’s commitment to tackling illegal activity. A spokesperson for the Governor stated, “Colorado is a zero-tolerance state for illegal activity. The Governor and his public safety team have been closely collaborating with the mayor and the City of Aurora, and they are actively participating in the task force.”
The joint efforts of local, state, and federal authorities aim to address and mitigate the impact of Tren de Aragua’s criminal activities, ensuring the safety and security of the community, including its most vulnerable members.
Your donations to the Children’s International Rescue Foundation go directly to the front lines, where we work in close collaboration with law enforcement near the Venezuelan border. By addressing the source of these issues, we are actively protecting and safeguarding our communities.
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