The apartment complex at 1568 Nome Street in Aurora, Colorado was recently shuttered by the city due to numerous code violations. Although the complex was condemned for these violations, presidential candidate Donald Trump has repeatedly claimed, without evidence, that Venezuelan gangs were taking over swathes of Colorado and engaging in violent activities. Rumors have been circulating that the notorious Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua was terrorizing the complex, a claim supported by some local Republican officials and political candidates.
Despite claims of gang influence, Aurora police have stated that gang activity is isolated, and that the real problem at 1568 Nome Street was the abusive housing conditions, which included lack of heat and running water, pests, and mold. The city had issued multiple warnings to the building’s owners about code violations and inadequate living conditions that led to the eviction of tenants. A class action lawsuit has been filed by a former tenant seeking reimbursement for rent paid during the uninhabitable conditions.
Tren de Aragua is a transnational criminal gang originating from a Venezuela prison, and it has been designated as a transnational criminal organization by the US. While police have arrested individuals linked to the gang in Aurora, they have denied the theory that the gang has taken over any buildings in the city. Local officials have also refuted claims of widespread gang influence and have mentioned that criminal activity has affected specific properties in the city.
Many individuals who lived and worked at 1568 Nome Street were unaware of organized crime in the area, attributing the eviction more to persistent code violations and poor building conditions. A lawsuit against the building’s owners points to unpaid water bills and negligence as reasons for the building’s condemnation. The city has documented longstanding issues with the property, including rodent infestations and uncollected trash, contributing to its closure.
Despite the lack of concrete evidence linking the condemned building to gang activity, some locals continue to blame gangs for the issues at 1568 Nome Street. There are concerns that the exaggeration of gang involvement may lead to biased treatment of Venezuelan migrants in Aurora, with reports of discrimination towards individuals of Venezuelan nationality when trying to find work. The city and local officials have emphasized the importance of addressing the code violations and poor living conditions that led to the closure of the property and have urged against fear-mongering and hysteria surrounding gang activity in the area.
