Former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has raised concerns about the presence of the Trenderagua gang, also known as TDA, in various U.S. cities, linking their activities to the Venezuelan criminal organization. Pompeo criticized the Biden administration, particularly Vice President Harris, for what he perceives as a failure to secure the American border, leading to the influx of potentially dangerous individuals.
Pompeo highlighted the risks associated with allowing individuals from authoritarian states like Venezuela to enter the country unchecked, emphasizing the potential security threats posed by these criminal groups. He noted that the Trenderagua gang operates differently from other well-known gangs like MS-13, lacking identifiable tattoos but still possessing significant wealth and ties to the Maduro regime.
Describing the Trenderagua gang as armed and potentially acting on behalf of the Venezuelan government, Pompeo warned of the challenges in identifying and deporting its members. He criticized the provision of legal protections like Temporary Protected Status (TPS) to undocumented immigrants associated with these criminal organizations, calling it a risky decision that could exacerbate issues related to drugs, weapons, crime, and terrorism in major U.S. cities.
Pompeo also highlighted the impact of the migrant crisis on cities like Denver, which has declared itself a sanctuary city, leading to neighboring areas like Aurora facing unintended consequences. The mayor of Aurora expressed frustration at being drawn into the crisis, emphasizing that it is a federal problem that has spilled over into their jurisdiction, affecting residents and straining resources.
