Colorado DA says Venezuelan gangs far from ‘fake’ problem: ‘Giant issue'

A Colorado district attorney is arguing that those who are trying to dismiss the issue of Venezuelan gangs in the state have been taking an "ignorance-is-bliss approach to the law."

"There were the two extreme positions. One was, ‘Hey, they'd taken over the city’... then you'd have the people on the far left in the mainstream media saying ‘there's no such thing as a country of Venezuela. Venezuelans don't exist. It's all made up. It's a figment of your imagination,’" Colorado’s 23rd Judicial District Attorney George Brauchler told Fox News Digital. 

"The truth is, Venezuelan gangs did take over the running of about 2 to 3 different apartment complexes… so to suggest that this isn't an issue is fake. It is a giant issue. It is a growing issue. And this sort of ignorance is bliss approach to the law."

The comments come as Colorado has recently entered the national spotlight as a result of the state’s sanctuary laws, which have limited local jurisdictions from being able to cooperate with federal immigration authorities.