On Tuesday, U.S. President Donald Trump stirred controversy once again as he criticized former Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro. Trump labeled him as "violent" and accused his regime of operating a "torture chamber in the heart of Caracas."
While addressing Republican lawmakers at the Trump-Kennedy Center in Washington, the Republican leader declared that Maduro "is a violent man who has killed millions." Trump added, "They have a torture chamber right in the center of Caracas that they are shutting down," a statement that quickly gained traction on social media.
His remarks have been widely shared online, with users highlighting them as an example of the increasingly harsh and emotional rhetoric coming from the White House. In front of his party's legislators, Trump defended the U.S. military operation that led to Maduro's capture and extradition to New York to face federal charges.
Trump also mocked aspects of the former leader's personality, jesting about Maduro's attempts to "imitate his dance moves." Political analysts note that such incidents are not uncommon in Trump's rhetoric, which has increasingly featured violent and inflammatory language, often diverging from the reality of the situations described.
The Helicoide: From Architectural Ambition to a Symbol of Fear
When Trump mentioned a "torture chamber in the heart of Caracas," many perceived it as a veiled reference to El Helicoide, a once-iconic building now feared as a symbol of Venezuela's oppressive regime. Originally designed in the 1950s as a spiral-shaped shopping center, El Helicoide was abandoned during the economic downturn of the 1960s and later taken over by state security forces.
Under the leadership of Hugo Chávez and especially Nicolás Maduro, the building became the headquarters of the Bolivarian National Intelligence Service (SEBIN) and a detention center for political prisoners, activists, and journalists.
Organizations such as Human Rights Watch, Amnesty International, and the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights have repeatedly documented cases of torture, beatings, electric shocks, sexual threats, sleep deprivation, and prolonged isolation within the complex.
The UN's 2020 report described these abuses as "crimes against humanity," holding SEBIN's top officials and the Venezuelan state accountable. Former prisoners have depicted the site as a "nightmare in a concrete spiral," where detainees endure months or years without natural light or medical care. Conditions are unsanitary, with overcrowded cells, leaks, insects, and extreme temperatures.
Ironically, the building—visible from various points in Caracas—operates in plain view of power, just kilometers from the Miraflores Palace. Its presence encapsulates Venezuela's descent from a nation that aspired to modernity and progress to a police state where fear and repression have been institutionalized.
Understanding Trump's Criticism of Maduro
What did Trump accuse Nicolás Maduro of?
Trump accused Maduro of being a violent leader responsible for the deaths of millions and operating a torture chamber in Caracas.
What is El Helicoide?
El Helicoide is a building in Caracas originally designed as a shopping center. It has become a symbol of oppression and is used as a detention center by Venezuelan state security forces.
How have international organizations responded to the situation at El Helicoide?
International organizations like Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International have documented abuses at El Helicoide, and the UN has labeled these actions as crimes against humanity.