Venezuela Takes Back Prison from Criminal Gang

Early Wednesday, over 11,000 Venezuelan security forces regained control of Tocorón Prison.

This prison in Aragua had been a base for the notorious Tren de Aragua gang. According to an official release, the facility will soon be emptied and revamped.

Authorities expressed their commitment to enhancing the national jail system. During the operation, they dismantled a hub of illicit activities.

The Interior and Justice Minister Remigio Ceballos confirmed that law enforcement had fully liberated the prison.

Prisoners will now move to other facilities among the country’s 85 correctional centers.

Importantly, Ceballos stressed that officials upheld the human rights of all inmates. The gang previously controlled unique amenities like a pool, baseball field, and zoo.

Videos online showed women and children inside the facility as smoke columns rose.

A subsequent government statement also revealed plans for a “second phase.” This phase aims to capture any escaped inmates, although the number remains undisclosed.

Journalist Ronna Rísquez speculated that international pressures might have instigated the action.

Specifically, Colombia, Chile, and Peru have voiced concerns about the gang’s cross-border operations.

Founded in 2014, Tren de Aragua engages in diverse criminal activities. These include kidnapping, theft, drug trade, and illegal gold mining.

Gang members follow orders from imprisoned leaders known colloquially as “pranes.”

Interestingly, authorities found a tunnel network during their raid. “We prevented a large-scale escape,” stated Ceballos.

Background Tocorón Prison

Meanwhile, Carlos Nieto, of the NGO Una Ventana por la Libertad, remarked that the move indicates the government’s acknowledgment of prison system flaws.

According to independent reports, Venezuelan prisons exceed their capacity by more than 50%.

This operation is significant in Venezuela’s ongoing struggle against organized crime. First, retaking Tocorón Prison signals a major governmental push against lawlessness.

The complex was not just a prison; it was a criminal headquarters. By dismantling this hub, the authorities are disrupting a network of illicit activities.