For those of you that know me or have heard me speak, I am all about the history. I strongly believe that if we fail to look back, we will never safely move forward. You know that I believe that education is key and that emergency management is not a job but an attitude and a lifestyle to be adopted by everyone. With all that said, I want to share something that has become a passion and focus of mine for the last three years. I share out of concern, fear and frustration as an American, a father, a husband and a researcher/analyst.
I have said this before. History has a way of repeating itself, often with consequences we wish we had foreseen.
As we address the growing threat (are we yet?) of the Tren de Aragua (TdA) gang infiltrating the United States, it’s vital to reflect on a lesson from the past where ignoring early warning signs proved costly. While the parallels between these events are not exact, the story of Pearl Harbor offers a critical lesson in the importance of heeding intelligence before it's too late.
First, it’s essential to clarify that we draw this parallel with the utmost respect for the sacrifice of those who served and died at Pearl Harbor. Our intent is not to diminish the significance of that tragic event, nor to be disrespectful to the brave men and women of our military or their families. Instead, we see a powerful lesson in how a failure to act on intelligence can lead to dire consequences, a lesson we believe is relevant to the situation we face today with the Tren de Aragua.
In the months leading up to the attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941, U.S. intelligence intercepted communications that suggested heightened Japanese military activity. Despite this, critical warnings were misinterpreted, dismissed, or downplayed. There was a belief that Japan would not dare attack American soil, leading to a tragic underestimation of their intentions. When the attack finally came on December 7, it caught the United States unprepared, resulting in devastating losses of life and naval resources.
Similarly, today we are receiving warnings and intelligence about the movement and growing influence of the Tren de Aragua gang, a criminal organization that has infiltrated communities across the Americas, including the United States. Reports of TdA activity have surfaced from small towns to larger cities, showing their reach extends far beyond what many initially believed possible. Yet, despite these red flags, the response has often been inadequate, with many agencies and institutions downplaying the threat or failing to take proactive measures.
The consequences of ignoring these warnings could be severe, affecting not just law enforcement but also healthcare facilities, school systems, and entire communities. The impact of TdA’s presence is already being felt in overwhelmed emergency rooms, school systems stretched thin by new challenges, and local police departments facing an enemy they weren’t trained to confront. Just as the failure to act on intelligence left the United States vulnerable in 1941, a similar disregard for the signs we see today could result in a scenario where TdA becomes a deeply entrenched threat, catching law enforcement and community leaders off guard.
But this outcome is not inevitable. There are resources and training available to equip those on the front lines with the knowledge they need to identify and address this growing issue. Awareness training through E.G. Weiss & Associates is available to help law enforcement, healthcare professionals, school administrators, and others understand the nature of the TdA threat and how to respond effectively.
To learn more, visit TdAShadows.com for insights, recommendations, and resources that can help prepare your organization. Additionally, E.G. Weiss' new book, "Chaos Across Continents - Venezuela's Impact on America’s Frontlines", is now available at 1910Publishing.com, providing an in-depth analysis of the issues at hand and how we can take action before it’s too late.
The time to act is now—before we find ourselves looking back, wishing we had done more when the signs were there all along.
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