A Venezuelan dissident named Carlos Moreno, who is running for a council position in Utah, warned that local authorities are not prepared to handle the violent Tren de Aragua gang, which has recently spread to at least 18 states in the U. S. Moreno expressed concern about the gang's influence and the fear it instills in the community, stating, "They are not ready yet to face these kinds of gangs in Utah. " The local authorities are challenged by the different tactics used by these gangs compared to typical U. S. criminals.
Tren de Aragua is linked to various crimes, including a recent assault and shooting in Salt Lake City, where gang members attacked several victims, resulting in injuries and a subsequent car chase that ended in a violent encounter. Reports indicate that young members of the gang participated in these events. The gang's activities have also included armed home invasions, where residents were threatened, and incidents of forced prostitution among the victims.
Moreno highlighted the impact of immigration policies allowing members of the gang to enter the U. S. The gang exploited the relaxed border policies and inadequate vetting, establishing themselves alongside legal immigrants. This has caused significant concern within the immigrant community in Utah, with many seeking to distance themselves from the criminal elements represented by the gang.
Utah Governor Spencer Cox acknowledged Tren de Aragua as "a growing threat" in the state. The gang previously made headlines for violent crimes across different states, and its organization has been deeply connected to the immigration of Venezuelan migrants to the U. S. The influx of approximately 2,000 migrants to Utah from Denver has contributed to fears of increased gang activity.
Local officials have begun to express discontent with the situation, with some distributing flyers claiming "no space" for new migrants in the state. Moreno, who immigrated to the U. S. seeking asylum and became a citizen in 2022, stressed that the immigrant community does not want criminal elements among them and is advocating for a change in how such cases are handled in the U. S. His campaign seeks to promote safety and proper governance against gangs like Tren de Aragua.
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