The Venezuelan government has announced plans to convert the infamous El Helicoide prison, known for its history of torture and political repression, into a cultural centre. Acting President Delcy Rodríguez, who previously oversaw the prison as vice-president under Nicolás Maduro, stated that the structure will be transformed into a “sports, cultural and commercial centre for police families and neighbouring communities.” This announcement comes as part of a strategic shift under increasing pressure from the United States.
El Helicoide, located in central Caracas, was originally conceived in the 1950s as the world’s first “drive-through shopping centre” but was never completed. Instead, during the regimes of Chávez and Maduro, areas meant for commercial use were converted into cells, turning the building into Venezuela’s most notorious site for torture against political prisoners.
In her recent statement, Rodríguez claimed that the initiative signifies a new direction for the government following Maduro’s capture and extradition to the United States. Critics, however, are sceptical of this narrative and argue that the plan merely seeks to erase the dark history associated with El Helicoide.
Activists Call for a Memorable Transformation
Activists have expressed concern that the transformation of El Helicoide into a cultural centre does not adequately address the historical context of the site. “The horrors committed at El Helicoide have already been sufficiently documented by numerous human rights organizations and by a United Nations mission,” said Martha Tineo, coordinator of the NGO Justicia, Encuentro y Perdón (JEP), which has long supported political prisoners and their families.
Tineo welcomed the closure of El Helicoide but emphasized that it should not be repurposed as a recreational facility. Instead, she advocates for the site to become a space for remembrance, much like the former Escuela de Mecánica de la Armada in Buenos Aires, which now serves as a museum to the victims of Argentina’s military dictatorship.
The building’s original design aimed to project modernity during the oil-fueled prosperity of the Marcos Pérez Jiménez regime. After his overthrow in 1958, El Helicoide was abandoned, only to later house thousands of people displaced by landslides and eventually become a hub for drug trafficking and crime. In the 1980s, it was repurposed as the headquarters for Venezuela’s domestic intelligence service, and under Chávez, it became a detention centre for political dissenters.
Continued Repression and Calls for Justice
The repressive environment intensified under Maduro, with reports detailing egregious human rights abuses, including torture methods such as electric shocks and suffocation. As recently as last year, engineer and activist Angel Godoy spent nine months in El Helicoide after being arrested during a crackdown on opposition activities. Godoy, who was charged with terrorism and other serious offenses, reported being unable to contact his family for the first three months of his detention.
When he finally regained his freedom on January 14, 2023, after a total of 372 days behind bars, Godoy received a warm send-off from fellow inmates, who urged him to advocate for their release. Although he has been released, he remains under restrictions, required to report to court monthly and barred from leaving the country. Activists estimate that between 600 and 800 political prisoners still remain incarcerated despite Rodríguez’s announcement of an impending amnesty bill.
The amnesty proposal, expected to pass easily in the regime-dominated national assembly, raises several concerns among activists. Rodríguez indicated that individuals convicted of serious crimes, such as homicide, would not be included. This exclusion is troubling for many, as it means that those wrongfully accused of politically motivated crimes may continue to suffer unjust imprisonment.
Tineo argues that those wrongly imprisoned deserve reparations and that discussions surrounding the amnesty bill should be inclusive of political prisoners, their families, and civil society organizations. The recent approval of a new oil industry law has also faced criticism for its lack of transparency and public input, further reinforcing suspicions that Rodríguez’s administration represents a continuation of the policies of Chavismo.
As the Venezuelan government attempts to shift public perception through initiatives like the transformation of El Helicoide, many remain cautious, fearing that without genuine accountability and acknowledgment of past atrocities, the cycle of repression may continue unabated.
