Texas Intensifies Crackdown on Tren de Aragua Gang

Texas Governor Greg Abbott has intensified efforts to combat the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua, which has been linked to various violent crimes including human smuggling and drug trafficking. Following the arrest of a confirmed gang member in El Paso, Chief Owens noted that 70 members have been apprehended nationwide. Under Operation Lone Star, Texas law enforcement has made over 520,600 illegal immigrant apprehensions and seized more than 543 million doses of fentanyl. Abbott has declared Tren de Aragua a terrorist organization, emphasizing the state's commitment to making Texas inhospitable for the gang. This crackdown is part of a broader strategy to address concerns about transnational criminal activity and illegal immigration in the state. The state’s initiatives are framed as a necessary response to perceived federal inaction on border security.