Venezuelan gang reportedly extorts homeless people in Denver for 'protection' money

A Reddit user from Denver, Colo., has alleged on the subreddit r/homeless that Venezuelan gang members have taken control of public territory in the city and are extorting homeless people for "protection" money. These public areas are ones on which homeless Coloradans have set up camps.

“Venezuelan gangs took over our encampment and now we have to pay them rent to stay here,” the user claimed in their post, 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 sparked mixed responses from other users, with some advising the person to pay the "rent" for their safety, while others suggested they relocate immediately to avoid potential violence.

These claims come amidst increasing concern in Colorado about armed Venezuelan gang members. Venezuela is one of the five nations the Biden-Harris administration has given special immigration persmissions to. Last week, viral video footage showed armed gang members taking over an apartment complex in Aurora, Colo. According to a resident who shared footage captured on their video doorbell, the video was taken shortly before a shootout that resulted in one person injured and several vehicles damaged by bullet holes.

Initially, Colorado Governor Jared Polis' office dismissed the incident, calling it a product of "imagination" despite it being on video. However, Polis later appeared on CNN to address criticisms and stated, “If the people alleging this have more evidence, please bring it forward,” adding that the state takes such threats “very seriously.”

Despite the growing concerns over migrant-related violence, Polis has been vocal against the idea of former President Donald Trump’s border wall, calling it “a huge boondoggle and waste of taxpayer money.” On ABC's This Week, Polis also claimed that Kamala Harris’ proposals would help mitigate the border crisis, stating that, “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.”