Venezuela Deploys 11,000 Soldiers in Effort to Regain Control of Prison

Venezuela has deployed 11,000 troops to reestablish control over one of its largest prisons, which had been taken over by a powerful criminal gang known as the Tren de Aragua. Located in the northern region of the country, the Tocoron prison had been under the gang's control for several years. Reports suggest that gang members were able to freely move around the prison, which offered luxurious amenities such as a pool, nightclub, and mini zoo. The Venezuelan authorities have decided to transfer the 6,000 inmates to other prisons as a result. This decision has left some family members worried about the whereabouts of their loved ones. The situation at the prison has drawn attention, with witnesses seeing guards removing motorcycles, televisions, and microwaves from the facility. The Venezuelan Interior Ministry has commended officers on their successful operation to regain control of the prison, describing it as a hub of criminal activity. The leader of the Tren de Aragua gang, Hector Guerrero Flores, was serving a 17-year sentence for murder and drug trafficking inside the prison. It has been reported that before becoming a full-time prisoner, he had the privilege to freely enter and exit the prison due to his influence within the institution, as stated by Carlos Nieto, a coordinator with A Window to Freedom.