Abbott signed a declaration declaring Tren de Aragua as a terrorist foreign organization, and instructed the Texas DPS in creating strike teams to target the gang.

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott announced on Monday that the state will target a Venezuelan gang he described as notorious for brutal violence, murder, and a threat to Texans’ safety.

Abbott held a press event in Houston where he signed a proclamation declaring the Tren de Aragua group a terrorist foreign organization. He also directed the Department of Public Safety (DPS) to form new strike teams of highway police officers, SWAT team members, helicopters and Texas Rangers, to target known TDA activities.

Abbott declared that the TDA was a terrorist organization before signing the declaration. Texas will use the courts and civil asset forfeiture in order to seize their property. They will also use enhanced criminal punishments to keep them behind bars.

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El Paso was singled out by the governor as an area where recent criminal activity has been perpetrated by suspected Tren de Aragua members. Residents in El Paso were concerned by recent criminal activity at a local hotel, where 20 suspected Venezuelan members of a gang were arrested.

El Paso County denied that “the hotel had been taken over by a gang”, and stated it was closed down due to a lawsuit focusing on criminal activity in the hotel.

In a press release, El Paso County attorney Christina Sanchez stated that the lawsuit was not brought about by criminal activity attributed to a specific group or gang. “I want it to be very clear that we never claimed in our lawsuit that any group or gang had taken over the hotel.”

Abbott said that a law passed by the Legislature last year will be used to prosecute members of Tren de Agua for smuggling immigrants. Senate Bill 4 stipulates that anyone convicted of smuggling illegal immigrants or running a stashhouse will receive a minimum of 10 years of prison.

Abbott, Texas Border Czar Mike Banks, and National Border Patrol Council Vice-President Chris Cabrera were all present at the press event.

Abbott’s announcement follows false claims made by the former President Donald Trump, and other GOP leaders about Venezuelan gangs allegedly “taking over” an apartment complex in Colorado.

The U.S. Department of the Treasury designated Tren de Aragua as a transnational criminal group that was a threat to American Communities in July. According to the Department of the Treasury, the gang is primarily involved in human smuggling, but has also been involved in human trafficking and drug trafficking.

The U.S. State Department has also offered rewards of up to 12 million dollars for information that leads to the arrest of or conviction of the leaders of the gang.

Abbott stated that there is no database that identifies the members of this gang. Texas law enforcement will create one. Abbott said that Tren de Aragua has been active in Texas since the year 2021. More than 3,000 undocumented Venezuelan immigrants have been arrested for crimes in Texas, while another 200 are still wanted.

Cabrera, vice president of the Border Patrol Council, said: “I could stand up and tell you statistics about how many people cross and how many get away.” “But none would matter when we are dealing with the problem that we have with this gang.”

Abbott stated that the gang was linked to over 100 investigations by law enforcement agencies across the country. This includes the shooting of 2 New York City Police officers.