The major networks were very eager to descend upon Springfield, Ohio and channel outrage over the “dogs and cats” controversy. However, the Regime Media do not share the same enthusiasm for more inconvenient immigration stories, such as those concerning violent Venezuelan transnational gang Tren de Aragua (TdA).
Per Jennie Taer over at The New York Post:
(Texas Governor Greg) Abbott labeled the Venezuelan gang a “foreign terrorist organization” as he detailed his plan to quash the gang’s threat.
“Texas is aggressively going after these foreign terrorist organizations of TdA,” the governor declared during the Monday press conference.
The plan would institute a 10-year mandatory minimum sentence for TdA smugglers bringing people into Texas, create a database to track members of the gang and beef up law enforcement’s capabilities to target the transnational criminal organization.
“Our goal among law enforcement in the state of Texas is to defend our state from the growing threat of TdA. We are not going to allow them to use Texas as a base of operations to terrorize our citizens,” he fumed.
Once upon a time, the designation of a violent transnational gang with an established foothold in America as a Foreign Terror Organization would've garnered significant coverage. But not today, and not on ABC, CBS, NBC or Telemundo’s evening newscasts.
In what may seem as a shock, Univision was the only newscast to cover the story:
GREG ABBOTT: Texas is aggressively going after these foreign terrorist organizations of TdA.
REINA RODRÍGUEZ: At a press conference, Texas Governor Greg Abbott signed a declaration that designates the Venezuelan criminal group "Tren de Aragua" as a foreign terrorist organization. Abbott described several arrests of alleged gang members, and mentioned a hotel in El Paso allegedly taken over by the gang that was closed due to reports of criminal activity.
This coverage only looks shocking because Univision is so broadly known for their immigration activism. But the network has made a business interest decision here. Univision’s lengthy record of activist coverage compels them to cover the bad actors as well. To their credit, due here, they have done so.
Click “expand” to view the full transcript of the aforementioned report as aired on Noticiero Univision on Monday, September 16th, 2024:
ILIA CALDERÓN: Texas Governor Greg Abbott today declared the Venezuelan criminal gang “El Tren de Aragua” a foreign terrorist organization. He added that Texas is creating a database to detect immigrants belonging to that criminal organization. From McAllen, Reina Rodríguez has reaction from authorities, as well as Venezuelan migrants.
GREG ABBOTT: Texas is aggressively going after these foreign terrorist organizations of TdA.
REINA RODRÍGUEZ: At a press conference, Texas Governor Greg Abbott signed a declaration that designates the Venezuelan criminal group "Tren de Aragua" as a foreign terrorist organization. Abbott described several arrests of alleged gang members, and made mention of a hotel in El Paso allegedly taken over by the gang that was closed due to reports of criminal activity.
TOM SCHMERBER: In El Paso, which is about 6, 7 hours from here and we are at the border. We don't want those people here.
RODRÍGUEZ: The prosecutor of that county denied versions of a takeover of the place to which the authorities responded about 700 times due to reports of violence.
STEVEN MCCRAW: El Paso is really Ground Zero with that point…
RODRÍGUEZ: Although data recently released by the FBI shows that reported crimes in El Paso fell drastically in the first 3 months of 2024, after 2 years of increases.
DENNIS: Not all of us come, at least here, to work. Others come to do evil as well.
RODRÍGUEZ: The (Texas DPS) will be in charge of an operation to deter and interrupt criminal operations of Tren de Aragua. In addition, you will have more resources to attack the group.
RENE CORDOVA: We pay attention to tattoos and all that. To find out who these terrorists are.
RODRÍGUEZ: Governor Abbott said that Texas is working on a database that will help determine which immigrants are affiliated with Tren de Aragua.
Abbott's announcement comes shortly after some Republican leaders claimed that Aurora, Colorado, has been overrun by armed immigrants.
ROLANDO RODRÍGUEZ: That they are already acting just like some cartels in Mexico. They are seizing properties. We want good people to come and build the nation up.
RODRÍGUEZ: In July, the Treasury Department designated Tren de Aragua as a Significant Transnational Organization.
ABBOTT: They could spread rapidly.
RODRÍGUEZ: In McAllen, Texas: Reina Rodríguez, Univisión.
