Tren de Aragua

Many media outlets have focused on sensationalist claims that TdA leaders led a life of blatant luxury in Tocorón. There have been claims that the prison has its own private residential homes, a nursery, a swimming pool, a baseball and a football pitch, horses, food stands, eateries, a night club, and mobile phone sales points. The available evidence suggests that these claims are largely true. One revealing account was made by Venezuelan journalist Ronna Rísquez who managed to gain access to the prison, posing as a visiting family relative of one of the prisoners. On approaching the compound, she said she had to cross three external National Guard checkpoints. At the last of them, she had to leave her identity card, crossing the boundary into the area controlled by the Tren.