Venezuelan gang given 'green light' to shoot at federal agents

HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — Federal agents in Colorado and New York are watching their backs because a violent Venezuelan gang has been given the green light to shoot at them, according to NewsNation.

The gang is known to have crossed the Texas-Mexico border.

Experts were asked if they were still here and if the unrest in Venezuela could send more gang members to hide among the real families fleeing violence.

The political unrest in Venezuela and gang violence have innocent people caught in the crossfire and some are preparing to flee their homes, for a chance at the American dream.

“The influx that we're seeing of more and more people coming out of Venezuela, trying to get to the United States them is very simple," said Andrew Smith, Assistant Professor of Political Science at the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley. "It's because America has a functioning democracy in the justice system, and Venezuela does not."

Smith believes that is what is happening.

“The attitude is if you can get out of dodge and come to the United States, then try to get out of dodge and come to the United States.”

However, federal agencies believe that hidden in the huddled masses are the wolves in sheep's clothing like the Tren De Aragua gang members.

Known by federal investigators to commit, sex trafficking, debt bondage, kidnapping, and drug trafficking, if you try to expose them, they kill you and post it online.

The gang’s leaders reportedly gave the green light in New York and Colorado to shoot at law enforcement.

El Paso is also a known area where members have crossed.

National Border Patrol Council spokesperson Chris Cabrera says that just because the gang is based in northern states, their criminal network makes them a threat anywhere.

“Yeah, if it's in New York and Denver, I'm fairly certain that it's here in the Rio Grande Valley," said Cabrera.

“Yeah, they have a similar interest. They don't have grants, it's a cartel that may farm out some work to a local gang, whether it be here or in El Paso or wherever," he said. "Just because they have the manpower, they know the area, they don't have the resources to carry out whatever task it is that they need them to carry out.”

Just because the presence is not there does not mean the interest is not there.

"Yeah, exactly. You know, and smuggling of persons and smuggling of drugs is big business and brings a lot of money. So a lot of people want to put their hand in that cookie jar.”

Currently, there is a major bounty on the heads of the gang. The Biden Administration is setting aside up to $12 million in rewards for information leading to arrests and/or convictions of three leaders of the Tren De Aragua transnational criminal organization.

This is a joint effort between the Colombian National Police and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

They are encouraging people to go to their nearest FBI office, Colombian Embassy or Consulate to get leads on tracking down the gang’s leaders.