(LibertySociety.com) – Chicago’s South Side is facing a tense situation as more Venezuelan migrants move into the area. Some worry that local gangs could soon clash with Venezuelan gang members, creating a dangerous and violent struggle for control.
Tyrone Muhammad, a former gang member who spent 20 years in prison, is one of the voices raising concerns. Now working in violence prevention, he warns that tensions are building. He believes that if local gangs get fed up with the behavior of the Venezuelan migrants, especially those involved in crime, the city could erupt in violence. “It’ll be blacks against migrants,” Muhammad told the New York Post, suggesting that even the government might struggle to stop it.
Many of the new migrants come from Venezuela, and some of them are part of the notorious Tren de Aragua gang. This gang is one of the most feared in Venezuela, known for violent crimes and drug trafficking. Now, it seems that some members of this gang are settling into Chicago, which has local gang members worried.
A local gang member, Zacc Massie, spoke out about the situation. He claims that Venezuelan gangsters are moving into the neighborhood and committing crimes, but without the same consequences that local gang members face. “They be moving in our own territory and robbing people but they don’t get arrested like we do,” he said. Massie added that the newcomers seem to be getting better treatment, receiving government help while locals are left behind.
The presence of the Venezuelan gang members is alarming for many. They are reportedly heavily armed and aren’t shy about showing off their guns. Corey Rogers, another local gang member, told the New York Post that Venezuelans are “showing the flag,” meaning they’re openly displaying their weapons.
For some, the situation feels like a step back. One gang member mentioned that, while the area is still violent, things had calmed down before the migrants arrived. Now, locals fear that the arrival of the Venezuelans could make things worse.
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