Raúl Enrique Pargas Rodríguez, a 31-year-old Venezuelan citizen, is accused by his country’s authorities of being responsible for an attempted femicide in 2021. According to the investigation, he called a young woman to his shop in the city of Merida and, in a fit of violence, began to insult and beat her. Most terrifying was when he took a black pistol, pointed it at her head and pretended to play “Russian roulette”, removing and placing bullets in the gun’s barrel while threatening her.
The victim managed to escape with her life, but was left with profound physical and emotional consequences. The incident was reported in Venezuelan courts, where an arrest warrant was issued for attempted aggravated femicide.
Illegal entry to the United States
Following the attack, Raul Enrique Pargas fled Venezuela and on August 10, 2022 illegally crossed the border at Eagle Pass, Texas.
That same day he was detained by the Border Patrol, but was released under supervision.
Because at that time there was no official information about the international arrest warrant.
In 2023 he was arrested again in Dallas for assault, but again was not considered an immigration priority and was not turned over to ICE.
That decision allowed him to remain in the country until authorities received new information about his criminal history.
Arrest in Texas
On August 14, 2025, ICE agents, along with federal marshals and the Texas Department of Public Safety, were able to locate him in the city of Plano.
The capture was made without incident thanks to a tip shared by the Border Patrol.
During the arrest, Raul Enrique Pargas was visibly affected and did not resist.
The incident was reported in Venezuelan courts
QuéOnnda.com
He currently remains in an ICE detention center awaiting resolution of his immigration case and deportation to Venezuela.
Here he will face trial for the attempted murder.
A case that generates alert
Buzzy
This case has generated debate among the U.S. Hispanic community for several reasons.
First, it demonstrates that people with violent backgrounds, such as Raul Enrique Pargas, can enter the country by taking advantage of gaps in international information systems.
Secondly, it underscores the difficulty of coordinating rapid action between governments when it comes to crimes committed abroad.
It also highlights the importance of immigrants knowing how the detention and deportation processes work.
Although most border crossers are seeking legitimate opportunities and fleeing violence, cases such as that of Raul Enrique Pargas are used by political sectors to tighten immigration policies and reinforce border control.
For more information, visit QuéOnnda.com.
