President Donald Trump said on Tuesday that Venezuelan authorities are shutting down a torture facility in central Caracas, describing it as a "torture chamber in the middle of the city," following the capture of Nicolás Maduro. Although Trump did not name the site, his comments appeared to refer to the infamous El Helicoide detention complex, long cited by human rights groups as a center for political imprisonment and abuse.
Speaking at a political event, Trump said the facility was being closed under the authority of Delcy Rodríguez, who was sworn in as interim president after Maduro's arrest. "They had a torture chamber in the middle of Caracas, and now it's being closed," Trump said. The president did not however provide further information on when and how the closure would be taking place.
He repeatedly accused Maduro of overseeing torture and mass violence, referring to him as "a violent guy" who had "tortured people." Trump also claimed the operation that led to Maduro's capture involved cutting electricity across much of the country and included more than 150 aircraft.
🚨 ÚLTIMA HORA
— Emmanuel Rincón (@EmmaRincon) January 6, 2026
El presidente Trump dice que el Helicoide en Caracas (centro de torturas del chavismo) será cerrado.
"Maduro es un tipo violento, mató millones de personas y tenían un centro de torturas en el centro de Caracas que será cerrado" pic.twitter.com/v2lfMbt6de
Trump's remarks came a day after Venezuelan opposition leader and Nobel Peace Prize laureate María Corina Machado publicly accused Rodríguez of being directly responsible for systematic torture under the former government.
In an interview with Fox News, Machado described Rodríguez as "one of the principal architects of torture, persecution, corruption and narcotrafficking" in Venezuela, and warned that she could not be trusted as a partner for a democratic transition. Machado said Rodríguez had played a central role in coordinating repression and maintaining ties with U.S. adversaries including Russia, China and Iran.
Venezuelan Opposition Leader María Corina Machado:
— Open Source Intel (@Osint613) January 6, 2026
Delcy Rodríguez is one of the main architects of torture, persecution, corruption, and narco-trafficking.
She is a main ally of Russia, China, and Iran - certainly someone who cannot be trusted by international investors. pic.twitter.com/iFw5XPdi6I
Despite Machado's criticism, the Trump administration has indicated that Rodríguez is currently its primary interlocutor in Caracas. Trump said there had been no prior coordination with Rodríguez before the raid that captured Maduro, but added that she "has been cooperating" since. He said the United States would soon decide whether existing sanctions against her would remain in place.
International observers have repeatedly described El Helicoide as a center of systematic abuse. A United Nations fact-finding mission previously reported the use of methods such as forced stress positions, suffocation with bags or water, electric shocks to the genitals, and beatings. It concluded that arbitrary detention, torture, sexual violence, and enforced disappearances form part of a broader strategy of political persecution in Venezuela.
-
Vladimir Padrino And Diosdado Cabello Can Make Or Break The Interim Presidency Of Delcy Rodriguez In Venezuela: Report
-
Trump Official Reportedly Grew Frustrated With Venezuelan Opposition Leader Machado After Failing To Detail How She Would Rise To Power
-
The Three Main Demands The U.S. Made To Venezuela's New Interim President: Report
© 2025 Latin Times. All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
