FACT CHECK: Did US Marines Shoot Members of Tren De Aragua In Texas?

A post shared on Facebook claims U.S. Marines purportedly shot members of the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua in Texas.

Verdict: False

The claim is false and originally stems from a Nov. 21 article published on the satire site “Real Raw News.”

Fact Check:

Tren de Aragua is reportedly operating in 16 states, according to Fox News, which cited a memo from the Department of Homeland Security also cited by the New York Post. Members of the Venezuelan gang are allegedly involved in “drug dealing and sex trafficking of migrant women in New York City,” the outlet reported.

The Facebook post claims U.S. Marines purportedly shot members of the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua in Texas. “Marines deal with Trend [sic] De [sic] Aragua members in Texas, Old West style,” the post, which does not provide a source to support its claim, reads.

The claim is false and originally stems from a Nov. 21 article published on the satire site “Real Raw News.” A “Disclaimer” included on the site’s “About Us” page indicates its content is not meant to be taken literally. “Information on this website is for informational and educational and entertainment purposes. This website contains humor, parody, and satire. We have included this disclaimer for our protection, on the advice [of] legal counsel,” the disclaimer reads. (RELATED: Did Trump’s Border Czar Pick Say ‘We Won’t Have To Press One For English?’)

According to the Nov. 21 article, an unnamed Marine purportedly recruited his fellow Marines to perform a reconnaissance mission in Texas after his 72-year-old neighbor was allegedly the victim of a home invasion committed by members of Tren de Aragua. The Marines purportedly shot and killed the gang members before dumping their remains in the Rio Grande river, the same article claims.

Likewise, Check Your Fact did not find the claim referenced on the U.S. Marine Corps’ website or its verified social media accounts. In addition, Check Your Fact did not find any credible news reports to support the claim.

Check Your Fact has contacted the U.S. Marine Corps for comment.