The Tocorón Penitentiary Center in Venezuela has been raided by over 11,000 military officers due to it being a gang-run prison. It was discovered that inside the prison complex there was a zoo, swimming pool, and nightclub. This prison had become the most notorious in the country after a gang of inmates had taken control and turned it into the headquarters for the Tren de Aragua gang.
The Tren de Aragua gang had been in control of the prison for years, which allowed prisoners to roam freely while decking the space out with extras such as a games room, children’s play areas, gambling rooms, a baseball field, and a restaurant. Additionally, there was also a nightclub called Tokio. The prison had become more like a city than a correctional facility. Footage posted on social media showed that the prison had a small zoo with animals such as big cats, crocodiles, flamingos, and ostriches.
President Nicolas Maduro congratulated the armed forces for their success in taking back the prison. Though, according to El Nacional, between 400 and 500 prisoners remain missing and could be hiding in the nearby mountains. Among the inmates who fled is Hector Guerrero Flores, who was serving a 17-year sentence for his role in assassination and drug trafficking.
Maduro has stated that this is a move towards a Venezuela free of criminal gangs, though it remains to be seen what the next steps will be to accomplish this goal. The Tocorón Penitentiary raid has highlighted the growing issue of gang control in Venezuelan prisons and has shown that action needs to be taken to stop their influence
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