Violent Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua expands to NM: Inside its ATM theft ring

The violent prison gang Tren de Aragua (TdA), originally from Venezuela, has expanded its influence across multiple states, including New Mexico. The gang, notorious for crimes like kidnapping, extortion, and drug trafficking, has been linked to a nationwide ATM theft ring, with incidents reported in Doña Ana County, New Mexico, as well as in Colorado, South Dakota, and other states.

In New Mexico, local law enforcement has been collaborating with federal agencies to address these crimes. Investigations reveal that the TdA network targets financial institutions with sophisticated techniques, such as “jackpotting” ATMs—hacking machines to release large amounts of cash.

Doña Ana County officials reported several suspicious ATM thefts this year believed to be connected to the gang’s operations.

This criminal activity is part of a broader, multi-state effort led by the Department of Homeland Security, FBI, and other agencies to dismantle the gang’s operations. Local authorities in New Mexico have expressed concern over the gang’s ability to exploit vulnerabilities at the border, allowing its members to enter the U.S. illegally.

The Biden administration has faced criticism for the record number of Venezuelan migrants crossing the southern border, some of whom are believed to have ties to TdA. In some communities, they are taking over apartment complexes and areas of towns.

In July, the U.S. Treasury Department classified TdA as a transnational criminal organization, freezing its assets and sanctioning its leaders. New Mexico officials have taken this designation seriously, partnering with state and federal agencies to disrupt the gang’s activities within the state.

Governor Greg Abbott of Texas recently declared TdA a foreign terrorist organization, emphasizing its threat to public safety nationwide. The designation has prompted states like New Mexico to increase vigilance, especially in areas near the border where gang-affiliated migrants may attempt to establish operations.

As law enforcement agencies continue to investigate, the U.S. State Department has offered significant rewards for information leading to the capture of key TdA leaders. These efforts aim to curtail the gang’s violent influence, which spans multiple states, including New Mexico and threatens local communities through its involvement in ATM theft, drug trafficking, and other crimes.