More than 11,000 Venezuelan troops stormed and retook control of a notorious prison from a powerful gang that had set up its own zoo, swimming pool and casino for inmates to enjoy.
The Tocorón prison has served as the headquarters of the Tren de Aragua criminal group for many years. Inside, inmates and some of their relatives or partners who move into the prison can roam freely throughout the detention facility and enjoy resort-like amenities, according to Agence France-Presse.
Venezuela’s Interior Minister Remigio Ceballos said that the prison would be completely cleaned and the prisoners would be transferred to other facilities, according to Agence France-Presse. Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro congratulated law enforcement on the raid.
“I congratulate more than 11 thousand FANB members [National Bolivarian Armed Forces of Venezuela] and the police force for the successful intervention of the Tocorón Prison Center,” Maduro tweeted on Wednesday.
The Tocorón Prison Center has been under the control of the Tren de Aragua gang for years.@NicolasMaduro /X
“Now we are ready for the second phase of Operation Liberation of Cacique Guaicaipuro. We are going to a Venezuela free from criminal gangs!”
However, it appears that some prisoners escaped during the operation when a government statement later announced a “search and arrest” operation to track down “fugitive criminals”.
Local media have reported that the leader of the Tren de Aragua gang, Héctor Guerrero Flores, may be among those who escaped, but the government has not named any of the escapees. Flores has served 17 years in prison for murder and drug trafficking.
Few details about the raid have been released. The Venezuelan military reported one casualty – a major who died after his head hit the door of an armored vehicle.
The prison includes a swimming pool, baseball field, nightclub and children’s play area.@NicolasMaduro /X
AFP reported that security guards were seen carrying motorbikes, televisions and microwave ovens from the prison as the prisoners were moved.
From prison, Tren de Aragua ruled an international criminal enterprise that reached as far as Chile, according to AFP.
The facility is equipped with a zoo that has ostriches and flamingos, a children’s play area, a swimming pool, a game room, a casino and a baseball field.
Those locked inside have the freedom to bet on horse races, arrange loans at temporary banks and even spend the night dancing at a nightclub nicknamed “Tokyo,” the outlet reported.
The government said it was working to track down refugees who fled during the operation.@NicolasMaduro /X
Locals even went to prisons to get food and other supplies when basic necessities became hard to come by during Venezuela’s economic crisis.
The existence of a major operation run from prison by the country’s most feared gang has led to speculation that Venezuelan officials may have negotiated with Tren de Aragua, according to AFP.
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Source: thtrangdai.edu.vn/en/
