Venezuelan Gang Expands In Denver

By Rocky Mountain Voice Staff / August 28, 2024

Jimmy Smrz | Commentary, Rocky Mountain Voice

Denver is facing an unprecedented threat as the Venezuelan criminal gang Tren de Aragua (TDA) expands its operations into the city. Notorious for its involvement in extortion, kidnapping, and murder, TDA has given its members a “green light” to attack and open fire on Denver police officers, sparking serious concerns about the safety of the city. With local law enforcement already stretched thin by budget cuts and escalating crime, Denver’s Mayor Mike Johnston and the city seem ill-prepared for this threat.

Global Cartel, Local Consequences

TDA’s influence reaches far beyond Venezuela, where it has operated with impunity, and is now taking root in U.S. sanctuary, cities including New York, Chicago, and Denver. The gang’s barbaric criminality has already surfaced in Colorado, including a violent jewelry store robbery in the Denver Highlands neighborhood this June.

As an understaffed Denver Police Department (DPD) grapples with budget cuts, the city is facing a surge in crime. The question is: Will Denver respond effectively to this growing problem, or will TDA continue to establish a dangerous foothold in the Mile High City?

The Mayor’s Misguided Priorities

As Denver grapples with rising crime, Mayor Johnston’s decision to cut the DPD budget amid the migrant crisis could be a fatal miscalculation. The city’s ability to combat threats like TDA has been compromised by diverting funding from law enforcement. With little proactive policing, the city has become more vulnerable—evidenced by last weekend’s unprecedented number of shootings across the metro area and a Tuesday afternoon shooting on the 16th Street Mall near Union Station that left three people injured.

Morale inside the DPD has taken a significant hit, as they watch city leaders prioritize services for illegal immigrants over the safety of its officers. One officer anonymously posted on social media, asking, “Will it take one of us dying in the line of duty for the city to take action?” The problem is expected to get worse after Denver failed to meet police recruitment numbers at a time when every officer is needed.

The Mayor Responds

It took Mayor Johnston over a week to respond to the threat to DPD. Unfortunately, his remarks emphasized consequences for the killing of police officers rather than any plan to prevent it.

“For anyone that’s here to commit crimes, whether you’ve lived here your whole life or you’re brand new, we won’t tolerate that. We’ll find you. We’ll enforce it. We’ll prosecute you.” – Denver Mayor Mike Johnston.

One of Mayor Johnston’s signature policies is his Newcomer Playbook, which he has promoted to other cities as a model for welcoming illegal immigrants into the country. However, as the attention surrounding TDA grows, it threatens not only Johnston’s political future but could impact local and national elections in 2024.

Republicans Understand The Problem

For months, President Donald J. Trump has been saying that Venezuela has been exporting their criminals to the United States. John Fabbricatore, a retired Director for ICE and the Republican candidate for Colorado Congressional District 6, said that the TDA has taken over entire apartment buildings in the metro area in interviews and on his ‘X‘ (Formerly Twitter) account. Three Aurora City Council Members have also been vocal with concerns about TDA, even after local media has labeled the concerns as ‘lacking evidence’.

Despite the danger, many government officials and the local news seem hesitant to acknowledge the TDA’s growing presence in the city.

A New Threat Looms: ‘Pink Cocaine’

A drug known as “pink cocaine” or “tuci” typically contains a volatile mix of substances, including ketamine, MDMA, LSD, crystal meth, GHB, and fentanyl. The production and distribution of the drug have been tied to TDA’s operations across the country. Its popularity has skyrocketed throughout the United States in the past few months after it was alleged to be a favorite of rapper Diddy in court documents. The unpredictable composition of the drug makes it particularly challenging for law enforcement and health officials who are already overwhelmed by the fentanyl epidemic.

Denver stands at a crossroads as the presence of TDA signals a dangerous new chapter for the city. Now is the time to demand action from Mayor Johnston and the Denver City Council to prioritize the city’s safety over everything else. Protecting Denver’s law enforcement and citizens should be the top priority, and that requires reevaluating the city’s budget and revoking the city’s sanctuary city status.

Given TDA’s willingness to kill local police, federal intervention will be necessary to combat this threat. Agencies including the FBI, ICE, and the DEA, should be involved in providing the resources and expertise that the city lacks. The Mayor’s response to this growing problem will determine Denver’s future.