A Reddit user from Denver, Colorado, has claimed on the subreddit r/homeless that Venezuelan gang members have taken control of public areas in the city and are extorting homeless residents for “protection” money. These territories are public spaces where homeless Coloradans have set up their camps.
“Venezuelan gangs took over our encampment and now we have to pay them rent to stay here,” the user alleged in a post, as reported by Andy Ngo. “They are making us pay rent to stay in our own camp. They say it’s for protection. Protection from who I don’t know.”
The post elicited a range of responses from other users. Some advised the person to pay the “rent” for their safety, while others suggested they relocate immediately to avoid potential violence.
These allegations come amid growing concerns in Colorado about the presence of armed Venezuelan gang members. Venezuela is among the five countries whose nationals have been granted special immigration permissions by the Biden-Harris administration. Last week, viral video footage showed armed gang members taking over an apartment complex in Aurora, Colorado. A resident who shared footage captured on their video doorbell reported that the video was taken shortly before a shootout, which resulted in one person being injured and several vehicles damaged by bullet holes.
Initially, Colorado Governor Jared Polis’ office dismissed the incident, labeling it as a product of “imagination,” despite the existence of video evidence. However, Polis later addressed the situation on CNN, stating, “If the people alleging this have more evidence, please bring it forward,” and emphasized that the state takes such threats “very seriously.”
Despite the rising concerns about migrant-related violence, Governor Polis has been a vocal opponent of former President Donald Trump’s border wall, calling it “a huge boondoggle and waste of taxpayer money.” On ABC’s This Week, Polis expressed support for Vice President Kamala Harris’ proposals to address the border crisis, stating, “What Kamala Harris is for is securing it in the most cost-effective way possible to stop the illegal flow of people, of guns, of drugs.”
