What Is El Helicoide, the Infamous Torture Prison in Venezuela?

New York Times - WorldCenter-LeftEN 4 min read 100% complete by Patricia Sulbarán and James WagnerJanuary 9, 2026 at 11:38 PM

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El Helicoide, located in Caracas, Venezuela, was originally conceived as a drive-through shopping mall in the 1950s. However, it became a notorious prison and symbol of state repression under Nicolás Maduro's authoritarian rule. Human rights groups have described it as a "torture center" where political prisoners were held. In January 2026, Venezuela's interim authorities began releasing political prisoners from El Helicoide and other jails, following Maduro's capture by U.S. troops. While the releases signal a potential shift under the new government, the future of El Helicoide remains uncertain, as authorities have not announced its closure.

Key Entities & Roles

Key Player Opposition Context

Marcos Pérez Jiménez 35% Víctor Navarro ×240% National Assembly 45% Jorge Rodríguez 50% United States 60% Donald Trump 65% Caracas ×275% Nicolás Maduro (Maduro) ×385% Venezuela ×590% El Helicoide ×795%

Keywords

el helicoide 100% torture prison 90% political prisoners 80% venezuela 80% authoritarian rule 70% nicolás maduro 70% state repression 60% human rights 60% prison conditions 50% interim government 50%