Photo byFons HeijnsbroekonUnsplash

National Guard Troops on Alert

The Post has learned that the New York State National Guard troops have been instructed to search all migrants arriving in the Big Apple for distinguishing tattoos that could identify them as members of the violent Venezuelan street gang known as the "Tren de Aragua" or Aragua Train.

The order was made in response to the NYPD's "Situational Awareness Alert" this week, which warned that the violent gang is becoming more and more visible in all five boroughs. Members of the gang are fleeing to New York to join up with other gangs.

“It’s to a point that they had to post policies on use of force like if we were in a combat zone,” one National Guard source told The Post on Wednesday.

An alert stated, “Tren de Aragua’s newly established presence in New York City may incite further gang-related violence — including stabbings, assaults, and robberies — raising public safety concerns."

The alert also warned, “Given the potential threat posed by TdA’s growing presence in the city, the [NYPD Intelligence and Counter Terrorism Bureau] recommends members of the service maintain situational awareness of symbols and iconography used by the gang to identify local activity and trends. "

Tattoos Used by the Gang

The NBA Hall of Famer Michael Jordan's Nike logo and his jersey number, 23, are among the tattoos favorited by the gang members. The number 23, symbolic of "23 de enero" or January 23, a Venezuelan neighborhood that gave rise to a revolutionary group in the 1980s.

A crown, stars, gas masks, and weaponry like AK-47 assault rifles are also popular.

Some members of the "Tren de Aragua" gang have a body tattoo that reads "Hasta la Muerte" which means "Until Death," or the initials "HJ," which stands for "Hijos de Dios" or Sons of God.

How They Operate

According to the report, members of the gang are fleeing Mexico, crossing the US border, claiming asylum, and heading straight for NewYork, where they enlist migrants for their illegal business.

Law enforcement officials state the stolen items, such as cash and phones, are sent to a Texas-based shipping company owned by a husband and wife team from Venezuela. The looted goods are then sent to Colombia.