The US has condemned the Venezuelan government for the death of opposition leader Alfredo Díaz, labeling it a reminder of the vile nature of President Nicolás Maduro's regime. Díaz died in his prison cell at El Helicoide, where he had been held for over a year, according to human rights organizations.
The Venezuelan government stated that the 56-year-old Díaz exhibited signs of a heart attack and was taken to a hospital, where he subsequently died on Saturday. The situation highlights an ongoing war of words between the Trump administration and the Maduro government, with accusations from both sides escalating in recent months.
In a series of military maneuvers, the US has increased its presence in the region amidst claims of drug trafficking, with Trump accusing Maduro of leading drug cartels and threatening military intervention. The US State Department has stated that Díaz was arbitrarily detained in a facility described as a torture centre.
Díaz was imprisoned shortly after disputing the results of the 2024 presidential elections, which were widely considered neither free nor fair. His arrest reflected broader suppression of dissent against the Maduro regime, prompting international condemnation and protests throughout Venezuela.
Alfredo Romero, president of the Venezuelan human rights group Foro Penal, raised alarms over the increasing mortality rates among political prisoners, citing that Díaz had only one family visit during his incarceration. Since 2014, a total of 17 political prisoners have died in Venezuelan jails.
Opposition figures, including Nobel laureate María Corina Machado, expressed outrage, asserting that Díaz's death is part of a systematic pattern of abuses against political prisoners. The Democratic Unitary Platform and Díaz's party, Democratic Action, also criticized the government, declaring his death unjust.
Tensions between the US and Venezuela continue to escalate, as military deployments and accusations persist. Maduro's government has rallied against what they perceive as US imperialism, including military threats aimed at Venezuela.
