VENEZUELAN authorities launched a major operation to retake control of Tocoron prison, which had been taken over by the powerful Tren de Aragua gang.
More than 11,000 police and soldiers, supported by tanks and armored vehicles, were involved in the operation.
The prison, located in Aragua state, had become a hideout for the gang.
Tocoron prison had served as the gang’s base, with criminal activities spanning beyond Venezuela into other Latin American countries.
“There will be no impunity. We will go after all criminals and their allies,” Justice Minister Remigio Ceballos, stated.
He called the operation a success that dealt a blow to criminal groups.
President Nicolás Maduro, meanwhile, congratulated the Venezuelan armed forces for getting rid of the criminals.
During the operation, one soldier was killed, and four prison guards were arrested as suspected gang accomplices.
The government evacuated all 1,600 inmates from the facility and relocated them to other prisons.
Inside Tocoron prison, the gang had set up amenities like a zoo, pool, gambling rooms, nightclubs, baseball field, and restaurant.
The Tren de Aragua gang, Venezuela‘s most powerful local criminal group, has around 5,000 members.
Over the past decade, it expanded its criminal activities to neighboring countries, including Colombia, Brazil, Peru, Ecuador, Chile, and Bolivia.
The gang is involved in various crimes, including kidnappings, robberies, drug trafficking, prostitution, extortion, illegal gold mining, and migrant smuggling.
Reports said 60 Tren de Aragua members were captured, while four prison officials arrested for allegedly allowing weapons smuggling.
