The operation aims to “dismantle” gangs operating from one of the most violent prisons in the country. More than 11,000 members of Venezuelan security forces were deployed Wednesday morning, the government announced in a statement. “The “Cacique Guaicaipuro” liberation operation [un chef indien historique] has been underway since the early hours (…) to dismantle and put an end to organized crime gangs and other criminal networks which operate from the Tocoron penitentiary center”, in Aragua (north-central), indicates the press release issued by the Minister of Information.
“More than 11,000 soldiers have been deployed, ready to restore and restore dignity to the national prison system,” the statement added. The Tren de Aragua gang, which has spread its tentacles throughout Venezuela and several Latin American countries, operates from Tocoron prison. According to an investigation carried out by Venezuelan journalist Ronna Risquez, the gang numbers some 5,000 criminals.
Mafia activities
The Tren de Aragua, which takes its name from the region, appeared in 2014, operating in “classic” mafia activities: kidnappings, robberies, drugs, prostitution, extortion. It has extended its influence to other activities, some even legal, but also to gold panning and illegal mining in a country which has among the largest gold deposits in the world.
The gang has also “taken advantage” of the crisis that Venezuela has been experiencing since 2013 to cross borders and settle in at least “eight other Latin American countries,” she says. According to Ronna Risquez, the Tocoron prison is entirely in the hands of the Tren de Aragua, the police remain outside. “Inside, the men I saw with guns were prisoners belonging to the organization. They are the ones who guard the prison but not for the State (…) the prisoners travel on motorbikes, they have weapons” inside the prison.
A prison “hotel” for the gang leaders
Tocoron prison is “like a hotel” for “the leaders of the gang” with a swimming pool, zoo, underground betting rooms, bank, baseball field, restaurant and even a nightclub, she explained.
According to the media, the head of the prison and head of the “Tren de Aragua” is Hector Guerrero Flores, known as “Niño Guerrero” (child warrior). Sentenced to seventeen years in prison for homicides and drug trafficking, in particular, he is officially incarcerated but seems to be able to enter and leave prison as he pleases, according to RonnnaRisquez. According to the Private Observatory of Venezuelan Prisons (OVP), Venezuelan prisons are more than 50% overcrowded, and there are reports of poor detention conditions.