The Venezuelan Prisons Observatory (OVP) questioned this Friday what it called “imaginary justice” in the face of the reappearance of pranes and members of gangs such as the Tren de Aragua after their dismantling reported by the authorities.
The recent intervention at the El Dorado prison, in the state of Bolívar, not only revealed the weapons, drugs, phones and other equipment in the possession of the inmates, but also the rrecognition of the existence of 17 pranes (according to President Nicolás Maduro) and members of the Tren del Llano and the Tren de Aragua in control of the facility.
“Not only did the prans not disappear, but it seems that they were very comfortable in their positions, lashing out at the communities surrounding the prison and at the 1,396 prisoners who survive in the El Dorado prison, made up of La Máxima, the Centro Precursor Hombre Nuevo and Casa Yellow,” said the OVP in a statement.
The NGO recalled that in 2023, the then Minister of the Interior and Justice, Remigio Ceballos, assured that the pranatos were already a thing of the past and that security in prisons was guaranteed.
However, a year later, authorities report that in the Oriente Penitentiary Complex, known as the El Dorado prison, they captured 17 Pranes, he added.
Many questions remain in the air: how is it possible that the total dismantling of 2023, after the intervention of seven prisons, results in 17 pranes controlling a prison in 2024?
Venezuelan Prisons Observatory
The organization considers that official statements on prison security are adapted as best appropriate. “The irony is evident: while it is said that prisons are under control, reality shows the opposite.”
The reorganization of the Aragua Train
The observatory denounced that the pranato structures were not the only problem in the El Dorado prison, since criminals were also inside it who – it assured – are plaguing different states of Venezuela and with tentacles that reach other Latin American countries.
The organization recalled a statement by the Minister of Penitentiary Service, Julio García Zerpa, after the intervention at the facility in which he recognized that the criminal structures known as Tren del Llano and Tren de Aragua had taken over the El Dorado Penitentiary Complex. Furthermore, he proclaimed the dismantling of these gangs with the seizure of those premises.
“In a true exercise of perseverance, the Venezuelan authorities have ‘dismantled’ the Aragua Train not once, but several times,” the OVP said. The first was in 2019, the second in 2023 and the third in November 2024.
The NGO recalled that during the intervention in 2023 of the Aragua Penitentiary Center, known as Tocorón, the then Minister Ceballos assured that the Aragua Train was completely dismantled with the arrest of 88 people who provided data of important criminalistic interest.
In addition, on March 19, 2024, Attorney General Tarek William Saab also confirmed the dismantling of the criminal gang in two stages, one in 2019 and another in 2023, with approximately 100 detainees and another 100 arrest warrants with Interpol, according to the release.
“At this point we can imagine that the Aragua Train already has a manual on how to reorganize itself after each dismantling, no matter how many times it is eliminated,” said the OVP.
Withdrawal of the National Guard
Humberto Prado, director of the OVP, urged Minister Zerpa to request the gradual withdrawal of the Bolivarian National Guard (GNB), in charge of the external security of all the country’s prisons, so that officials from the Ministry for the Penitentiary Service take over. complete responsibility for control and security in prisons, and not be limited to the internal area.
“As long as these double commands exist, where the captain of the GNB reports to his commander and the director of the prison to his minister, the flow of weapons and corruption will continue uncontrolled,” he added.
El Dorado Eviction
Prado also expressed his concern regarding the eviction of the El Dorado prison. “Where are they going to take those 1,404 prisoners? The closest prisons are closed, which are Vista Hermosa in Bolívar and La Pica in Maturín, so are they going to take them to their original prisons or will they be transferred to other facilities that have critical overcrowding?
“Definitely the penitentiary problem is not the prisoners or the prisons, but the authorities who do not have expertise and what they do is invent policies to experiment with the human beings who are in their custody.”
By: Luis Castillo The Carabobeño
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**Interview with Dr. Maria Gonzalez, Venezuelan Prisons Expert**
**Interviewer:** Thank you for joining us today, Dr. Gonzalez. The situation with gangs like Tren de Aragua seems to be deteriorating. Can you provide us with an overview of Tren de Aragua’s history and its reemergence in Venezuelan prisons?
**Dr. Gonzalez:** Thank you for having me. Tren de Aragua originated in Venezuela’s prisons over a decade ago, and it has since evolved into a significant criminal organization with a reach that extends beyond the country. Recently, we’ve seen reports indicating that despite government claims of dismantling the group, Tren de Aragua appears to be reestablishing itself in facilities like the El Dorado prison.
**Interviewer:** That’s alarming. The Venezuelan Prisons Observatory has been vocal about the concept of “imaginary justice.” What do they mean by that?
**Dr. Gonzalez:** “Imaginary justice” refers to the disconnect between government statements regarding prison conditions and the actual realities faced by inmates. The OVP highlighted how, despite assurances that pranes—the gang leaders—were eliminated, they continue to operate freely within prisons. This inconsistency raises questions about the effectiveness of security measures in place.
**Interviewer:** It’s troubling to think that gang control is still prevalent within prisons. What do we know about the recent intervention at El Dorado?
**Dr. Gonzalez:** The intervention revealed not only weapons and drugs but also confirmed the presence of significant figures associated with Tren de Aragua and other criminal groups. Reports stated that 17 pranes were actively controlling the prison, despite claims of dismantling the organization as recently as last year. This shows a troubling trend of resilience among these criminal structures.
**Interviewer:** What impact do these gangs have beyond the prison walls?
**Dr. Gonzalez:** Organizations like Tren de Aragua have tentacles that reach across Latin America. They engage in multiple criminal activities, including drug trafficking and extortion, affecting not just Venezuela but also neighboring countries. Their ability to reorganize and adapt swiftly after government crackdowns raises concerns about the broader implications for regional security.
**Interviewer:** Given the repeated claims of dismantling these gangs, what measures should authorities take moving forward?
**Dr. Gonzalez:** Authorities need to focus on a comprehensive strategy that goes beyond short-term interventions. This means implementing systemic reforms in the prison system, addressing corruption, and providing social and economic alternatives for young people who might otherwise join these gangs. A holistic approach is crucial to truly dismantling the influence of these criminal organizations.
**Interviewer:** Thank you, Dr. Gonzalez, for sharing your insights on this critical issue. It seems we have quite a journey ahead in addressing the challenges posed by groups like Tren de Aragua.
**Dr. Gonzalez:** Thank you for having me. It’s imperative that we continue to shine a light on these issues and push for meaningful reforms.
