A group of Venezuelan migrants caused chaos in a suburban Colorado town this week when gunshots were fired in a parking lot. The incident, captured in a TikTok video, is yet another sign of unrest within the Venezuelan community in the U.S.
In the video, posted by user 100packsavvy, a man can be heard saying, “Those Venezuelans is taking over.” The footage shows a crowded scene at a Target parking lot in Aurora, where Venezuelans had gathered for a weekend protest about the elections in their country.
The gathering was mostly peaceful, but the crowd swarmed the shopping center, causing traffic jams and forcing Target and other nearby retailers to close early. As night fell, the situation escalated, and the parking lot turned chaotic. According to Telemundo Denver, police responded to reports of gunshots.
The TikTok user who recorded the video claimed they were nearly run over, saying, “We almost just got hit.” This incident is part of a growing number of issues involving the Venezuelan community in Aurora.
Recently, security footage from an Aurora apartment complex showed suspected gang members with guns. One man, carrying a rifle, was seen pounding on doors while others held pistols. The video, released by Fox 31, was reportedly filmed just before a shootout that left one person seriously injured and several vehicles damaged.
Aurora City Council member Danielle Jurinsky voiced concerns on X, saying, “A GANG HAS TAKEN OVER several apartment complexes in Aurora!” While local police have not confirmed the identity of the gang, Jurinsky told Fox 31 that the building was under the control of a Venezuelan gang, stating, “This isn’t just Americans. Other Venezuelans are being extorted by this gang.”
The migrant crisis, which began at the U.S.-Mexico border, is now impacting cities across the United States. Venezuelan gangs have been establishing bases in places like New York, Colorado, and Texas. The Dallas Police Department has confirmed the presence of such gangs in North Texas. In Denver, a regional task force has been set up to address the growing criminal activity linked to these groups.
The notorious Venezuelan gang, Tren de Aragua (TDA), has set up a new headquarters just across the U.S. border in Juarez, Mexico, directly across from El Paso, Texas. Texas officials are working on a plan to address the threat posed by these gangs.
