Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) troopers arrested over 20 suspected members of the violent Venezuelan Tren de Aragua gang in a raid at the Gateway Hotel in El Paso. The suspects face charges related to human smuggling, prostitution, and drug possession, following Governor Greg Abbott’s designation of the gang as a foreign terrorist organization.
Abbott, who also announced a $5,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of gang members, emphasized the state’s commitment to combating this criminal group. His efforts follow rising concerns about the growing influence of Tren de Aragua in Texas, particularly after a judge ordered the shutdown of the hotel due to gang-related violence. Since the start of the Biden administration, Venezuelan migrant apprehensions have skyrocketed, contributing to increased gang activity along the border.
Abbott stated, “Texas is the wrong state for them to try to do business in,” reaffirming his commitment to protecting Texans from the gang’s growing influence.
