The Tren de Aragua, a violent Venezuelan gang, has been increasingly active along the U.S.-Mexico border, particularly near El Paso, Texas, ahead of President-Elect Donald Trump assuming office later this month, the New York Post reported.

In recent weeks, gang members armed with knives and other weapons have attempted to force their way into the United States, targeting border crossings in a desperate effort to enter before Trump takes office.

“You’re seeing that violence at the border because they know that it’s going to change in 27 days. It’s going to change. It’s going to be different, and they’re going to be sought after,”  Victor Avila, a retired agent for Homeland Security Investigations, told the Post.

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The incoming president, and his new border czar Thomas Homan, have vowed to deport violent and illegal immigrants.

A leaked memo from the Texas Department of Public Safety indicates that these gang members have threatened to attack border guards who try to stop them.

In one incident, approximately 20 gang members attempted to breach a border gate, with more such attempts anticipated around New Year’s Day.

Texas authorities, informed by an anonymous tip, report that the gang plans to harm Texas National Guard soldiers. Recently, there has been an increase in gunfire along the El Paso border, prompting authorities to use pepperballs to control the situation, the New York Post reported.

Gov. Greg Abbott has declared the Tren de Aragua a foreign terrorist organization and implemented severe penalties for their activities. In response to the growing threat, Texas has deployed additional law enforcement resources to the border.
“Our goal among law enforcement in the state of Texas is to defend our state from the growing threat of TdA. We are not going to allow them to use Texas as a base of operations to terrorize our citizens,” Abbott said earlier in 2024.
In a related incident, a Mexican immigration agent was killed near a Texas crossing where the Tren de Aragua had threatened to attack Texas troops. Two Venezuelan migrants and a Colombian national were arrested for the murder, which occurred after the agent requested identification.

These developments highlight the escalating challenges at the U.S. southern border, with criminal organizations like the Tren de Aragua becoming more aggressive in their attempts to enter the country.