In a significant and unexpected development, political prisoners are being released from one of Venezuela's most feared detention centres, the El Helicoide prison in Caracas. The move, occurring during a week of profound political upheaval, is being interpreted as a potential gesture of change from the country's new leadership.
A Sinister Symbol of Repression
El Helicoide, a bizarre three-sided pyramid originally intended as a shopping mall, has for years served as the sinister headquarters of Venezuela's secret police. Notorious for the torture of inmates, its very presence has cast a shadow over the capital. Filming it directly was impossible and even driving past instilled fear, according to Sky News' chief correspondent Stuart Ramsay. Now, from its gloomy depths, detainees are emerging into the arms of waiting families, with the process broadcast on television.
The releases come as the deposed former leader, Nicolas Maduro, faces narcotics trafficking charges in a Manhattan court. Simultaneously, his successor, Delcy Rodríguez, was being sworn in as the next caretaker president. Against this backdrop, calls for the liberation of political prisoners from both inside and outside Venezuela reached a crescendo.
A Response to Long-Standing Demands
Recent comments from former US President Donald Trump, who stated the Venezuelan government was closing its "torture chamber" in central Caracas—an apparent reference to El Helicoide—seem to have been borne out by events. If confirmed, this action addresses one of the core, long-term demands of the Venezuelan opposition.
The significance is amplified by the identities of those reportedly slated for release. They include major opposition activists, some with direct links to the prominent opposition leader María Corina Machado. This represents a major shift in policy.
The scale of repression under Maduro's government has been vast. Since 2014, there have been more than 18,000 politically motivated arrests. These detentions surged after the presidential elections in July 2024, when the opposition was heading for a landslide victory, and again on 8 January 2025, when the opposition last gathered for a rally.
A Deliberate Signal of Change
Now, exactly one year later, a breakthrough appears to be unfolding for some of those held. While prisoner releases around holidays are a regular occurrence in Venezuela, the timing of this announcement, coming so swiftly after Rodríguez took office, suggests a deliberate change of course.
This move sends a powerful message, not only to hopeful Venezuelan families gathering outside prisons in Caracas and Guatire but also to the international community. It is a positive signal specifically directed at the United States and the Trump administration, which is closely monitoring the situation. Whether this marks the beginning of a genuine political opening or remains a symbolic gesture is the critical question now facing Venezuela.
