**Title**: Tren de Aragua: Violent Venezuelan Prison Gang Gives Members Green Light to Attack and Kill Police
**Sapo**: As the Tren de Aragua (TdA) prison gang expands its presence in the United States, authorities warn that its members have been authorized to target and kill law enforcement officers. The gang's rising activity raises concerns about its growing influence and the potential for increased violence.
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**Article**:
The Venezuelan prison gang Tren de Aragua (TdA) has been steadily expanding its footprint in the United States, establishing a presence in states such as New York, Florida, Texas, Illinois, and Georgia. The gang's expansion has been accompanied by a surge in violent crimes, including mob assaults on police officers and organized retail theft.
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Homeland Security officials have recently issued a warning that TdA members have been instructed to kill police. This directive raises concerns about the potential for escalating violence between the gang and law enforcement.
The latest connection between TdA and the United States involves Argenis Ibarra, who is suspected of being a member of the gang. Ibarra entered the US illegally twice in 2023 and was deported twice before joining his brothers in Georgia.
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The Ibarra brothers have been arrested in connection with the brutal murder of Georgia college student Laken Riley. Jose Ibarra is being held without bail, while Diego Ibarra has been charged with green card fraud. Both are suspected of having ties to TdA.
Beyond暴力, TdA has been involved in a range of criminal activities, including strong-arm robberies using motorized scooters as getaway vehicles, organized retail theft, and human trafficking. The gang has also been linked to a spike in drug trafficking and smuggling.
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TdA began its international expansion in 2018 with a turf war across the Colombian border. Facing competition in the drug trafficking business, the gang shifted its focus to human trafficking and smuggling.
As TdA expanded, it violently seized territory from smaller local groups, establishing a presence in several countries across South America. The gang's international reach has now extended to the United States.
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Members of TdA often display the gang's imagery, which includes Chicago Bulls paraphernalia and tattoos of crowns, trains, and other symbols. The gang's hand gesture, with index finger, pinky, and thumb extended and the other fingers closed, has become a recognizable sign of affiliation.
Federal prosecutors have noted that TdA members frequently wear Chicago Bulls clothing, even if they have no ties to Chicago or are not fans of the team. This connection to the Bulls has raised questions about potential money laundering operations involving the distribution of counterfeit sports merchandise.
The rising activity of the Tren de Aragua prison gang in the United States poses significant challenges for law enforcement. The gang's authorization to attack and kill police, its involvement in various criminal activities, and its growing international presence raise concerns about the potential for increased violence and the erosion of public safety. Authorities are working to combat TdA's expansion and disrupt its criminal operations.
