Suspected gang member arrested for assault, Venezuelan crime gains national attention

A man suspected of being involved with a Venezuelan criminal gang has been arrested in Wisconsin for allegedly attacking a woman and a child. Alejandro Jose Coronel Zarate, 26, is charged with sexual abuse, domestic violence and child abuse. Prairie du Chien police linked Zarate to the Tren de Aragua gang, a notorious criminal organization that operates across the United States.

Local police responded to a report of violence, where they found both a woman and a minor injured. Chief Kyle Teynor said Zarate was known to the victims, confirming that this was not a random crime. The case has raised concerns about the growing threat of criminal gangs infiltrating smaller American communities.

Tren de Aragua, the gang associated with Zarate, has been linked to crimes including drug trafficking, extortion and human trafficking. U.S. law enforcement agencies have reported Tren de Aragua’s presence in several major cities, including Chicago, Miami and Atlanta. Reports say the gang has targeted U.S. law enforcement, raising the stakes for local authorities.

Zarate’s past includes outstanding warrants in Dane County for previous violent crimes, adding to the seriousness of the charges he now faces. His arrest underscores the growing influence of transnational gangs in the United States and the danger they pose to local communities.

The investigation into Zarate’s activities is ongoing and authorities are trying to determine the full extent of his criminal involvement.