Aurora Mayor Refutes Trump’s Claims of Venezuelan Gang Takeover

Aurora, Colorado’s Republican Mayor, Mike Coffman, addressed former President Donald Trump’s remarks about the city ahead of Trump’s rally, rejecting claims that Aurora is “overrun by Venezuelan gangs.”

Trump’s Comments Stir Controversy

During a recent presidential debate with Vice President Kamala Harris, Trump pointed to Aurora as an example of what he described as immigrant-related crime. “You look at Aurora in Colorado. They are taking over the towns. They’re taking over buildings,” Trump stated. This followed weeks of Trump’s claims that the city was overrun by Venezuelan gangs, causing concern among local residents.

Coffman responded by saying, “This rally is an opportunity to show the nation that Aurora is not a city overrun by Venezuelan gangs.” He emphasized that concerns about gang violence were overblown and largely confined to a few specific locations.

Police Chief Sets the Record Straight

Aurora Police Chief Todd Chamberlain backed Coffman’s statements, asserting during a Sept. 20 press conference that Aurora is not “overtaken by Venezuelan gangs.” While acknowledging that the city, like many others, has some gang-related crime, Chamberlain stated that the situation has been misrepresented.

The controversy followed a viral video from August showing armed men entering an apartment in Aurora, which led to the fatal shooting of a 25-year-old man. The video prompted fears of gang activity, with a local councilwoman claiming that Venezuelan gangs had taken over certain apartment complexes.

However, after further investigation, the police found no evidence of gang control over the buildings. Mayor Coffman visited the location and reported that tenants expressed concerns about uncollected garbage and a rodent infestation but did not raise significant safety concerns related to gangs. Coffman noted that the initial claims of a gang takeover stemmed from misinformation provided by the property management company, CBZ Management, which has not responded to inquiries.

Task Force and Gang-Related Arrests

Aurora Police have created a task force in collaboration with local, state, and federal authorities to address gang activity in the city. As of Sept. 11, eight individuals tied to the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua have been arrested, though Chief Chamberlain cautioned that identifying suspects as gang members is a complex process.

Chamberlain emphasized, “This is a focus on criminal behavior, not immigration status.”

Clearing Up Misconceptions

On Sept. 11, Coffman and the councilwoman who shared the viral video released a joint statement to clarify that gang members had not taken over the city. As of the latest information, Aurora police have found no evidence that the individuals in the viral video were connected to a gang.

Aurora Prepares for Trump’s Rally

As Aurora prepares for Trump’s rally, city leaders are working to correct misconceptions about the community. Mayor Coffman and law enforcement are committed to providing an accurate portrayal of Aurora, distancing the city from exaggerated claims of gang activity.

The mayor and police department are focused on addressing crime and gang activity but stress that Aurora is not the “war zone” described by Trump.