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Published September 21, 2023, 6:46 p.m. ET
More than 11,000 Venezuelan soldiers raided a notorious prison and regained control of a powerful gang that had set up its own zoo, pool and casino for inmates.
For years, Tocorón Prison served as the headquarters of the Tren de Aragua criminal gang. According to Agence France-Presse, inmates and some of their relatives or partners who moved into the prison were able to move freely inside the prison and enjoy resort-like amenities.
Venezuelan Interior Minister Remigio Ceballos said the prison would be completely evacuated and inmates would be moved to another facility, according to Agence France-Presse. Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro congratulated law enforcement on the raid.
“I congratulate the more than 11,000 members of the FANB [National Bolivarian Armed Forces of Venezuela] and the police forces for the successful operation of the Tocorón prison center,” Maduro said tweeted On Wednesday.
The Tocorón prison has been under the control of the Tren de Aragua gang for years.@NicolasMaduro /X
“Now we are preparing for the second phase of the liberation operation Cacique Guaicaipuro. We are on the way to a Venezuela without criminal gangs!”
However, it appeared that some inmates escaped during the operation, as a later government statement announced a “search and arrest operation” to track down “fugitive criminals.”
Local media have reported that Tren de Aragua gang leader Héctor Guerrero Flores may be among those who fled, but the government has not named any of the refugees. Flores was in prison serving a 17-year sentence for murder and drug trafficking.
Few details about the raid have been released. The Venezuelan army reported one casualty – a major who died after hitting his head on the door of an armored vehicle.
The prison included a pool, baseball field, nightclub and children’s playground.@NicolasMaduro /X
AFP reported that security forces were seen carrying motorcycles, televisions and microwaves out of the prison as inmates were moved.
According to AFP, Tren de Aragua ran an international criminal enterprise from prison that stretched to Chile.
The facility featured a zoo with ostriches and flamingos, a children’s playground, a swimming pool, a games room, a casino and a baseball field.
The incarcerated people were free to bet on horse races, take out loans from a makeshift bank and even dance the night away at a nightclub called “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 the prison for food and other supplies when essentials became difficult to come by during Venezuela’s economic crisis.
The existence of such a large operation run from a prison by the country’s most feared gang has led to speculation that Venezuelan officials may have been negotiating with the Tren de Aragua, according to AFP.
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