Texas Governor Greg Abbott recently delivered remarks at the annual meeting of the South Texas Property Rights Association in Corpus Christi, emphasizing the state's intensified efforts to bolster border security and combat the criminal activities of the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua (TdA). According to an announcement on the Office of the Texas Governor, Governor Abbott celebrated Texas' historic border security mission and articulated the strategies engaged to address the rise of TdA's influence within the state.
Abbott, as per his statement on the Office of the Texas Governor official website, declared, "Our latest battle has been against Tren de Aragua. They’re notorious for brutal violence, kidnapping, extortion, and bribery. Which is why last month, I ordered the Texas Department of Public Safety to launch a statewide operation directly targeting Tren de Aragua to deter and disrupt their criminal operations." The governor's assertive tone underscored his commitment to implementing a rigorous state-led security protocol along the border with Mexico, using an array of barriers and law enforcement measures.
Additionally, the governor's campaign against TdA has made strides with law enforcement officers already making arrests of identified and suspected gang members. Abbott's strategic deployment of border barriers, such as floating marine barriers, razor wire, and Texas’ own burgeoning border wall, was laid out as key components of the mission aimed at stemming not just the movement of individuals, but also the illegal trafficking of drugs and weapons into the state.
Joining Governor Abbott were various local and state officials, including Representative Todd Hunter, Representative J.M. Lozano, Nueces County Sheriff John Hooper, and Brooks County Sheriff Benny Martinez, amongst others. In a recent initiative, Abbott designated TdA as a foreign terrorist organization, prompting the Texas Department of Public Safety to elevate their status to a Tier 1 gang, and instigate the formation of a specialized TdA Strike Team focused on the identification, and arrest of gang affiliates.
Moreover, in a bid to encourage public cooperation, the Office of the Governor’s Public Safety Office is offering monetary rewards for information leading to the apprehension of criminal elements linked to TdA. "The Governor also announced that the Office of the Governor’s Public Safety Office is offering a reward of up to $5,000 for information leading to the identification and arrest of known or suspected members of TdA who have been or are involved in criminal activity," as mentioned by the Office of the Texas Governor, highlighting the multifaceted nature of the state’s response to the challenges posed by transnational criminal gangs.
