Venezuelan brothers, Diego and Jose Antonio Ibarra, have been making headlines after their connection to the murder of Georgia nursing student Laken Riley was discovered.
The Ibarra brothers entered the United States illegally, with Diego being arrested multiple times for various crimes before Riley’s murder. Federal authorities have also linked Diego to the violent South American gang Tren de Aragua. The gang, also known as TdA, has been attempting to establish itself in the United States and is known for its organized crime activities.
Diego Ibarra was arrested in late February while police were searching for his brother Jose, who is the suspected killer of Laken Riley. The two brothers share similar physical descriptions, and Diego was seen wearing an identical hat to the one seen on surveillance footage of the murder. He allegedly handed police a fake green card, which raised suspicions about his ties to organized crime.
Further investigations by Homeland Security Investigations found social media accounts linked to Ibarra where he flashed gang hand signals and posted pictures wearing Chicago Bulls team colors – a known identifier for TdA members. Prosecutors have also revealed that Ibarra had multiple pictures with firearms, despite being an illegal immigrant who is not allowed to own guns in the United States.
Ibarra’s criminal behavior since his illegal entry into the country has also been revealed by authorities. A month after his arrest, he allegedly cut off an ankle monitor placed on him by Immigration and Customs Enforcement. The monitor was later found in Colorado, and Ibarra made his way to Athens, Georgia, where he had multiple run-ins with the law. He was arrested for DUIs, accused of stealing his girlfriend’s phone, and caught shoplifting from a local Walmart on two occasions.
His brother, Jose Antonio Ibarra, also entered the country illegally in 2022 and was released on border parole. This allowed him to travel to New York City and then to Athens, where he allegedly brutally murdered Laken Riley on a running trail at the University of Georgia.
The city of Athens has faced criticism for its handling of public safety, with many residents calling for Mayor Kelly Girtz’s resignation. The mayor faced protests during a news briefing last week, where he denied the city being a sanctuary for undocumented immigrants. He also blamed a 2019 resolution supporting undocumented foreigners on then-President Trump and the divisive rhetoric he used against foreigners at the time.
As the investigation into Laken Riley’s murder continues, more details about the Ibarra brothers and their ties to organized crime are being uncovered. The growing presence of TdA in the United States is a cause for concern, and authorities are working to dismantle the gang’s activities in the country.
The tragic loss of Laken Riley has shed light on the issues surrounding illegal immigration and the need for stronger border controls and immigration policies.
