Venezuelan government announces closure of detention centers due to uninhabitable conditions

Venezuelan authorities are undertaking a process to close and improve detention centers across the country, citing inadequate conditions in some facilities. Minister of Interior and Justice Diosdado Cabello stated that the government is evaluating police and penitentiary sites, closing down those deemed "uninhabitable" and refurbishing others.

Cabello specifically mentioned the Zona 7 of the Bolivarian National Police in Caracas as an example of a facility that was previously a site of "outrage" and is now being addressed. The initiative includes a review of ongoing judicial cases, with over 12,000 individuals having pending trials and others already serving sentences who should be in regular correctional facilities.

These statements come amid recent reports from political sources and human rights organizations detailing the transfer of politically detained individuals from El Helicoide, the headquarters of the Bolivarian National Intelligence Service (Sebin). Allegations of overcrowding and degrading treatment have been raised concerning this facility. While the government has not confirmed a closure of El Helicoide, the issue gained public attention following remarks by U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who claimed the center had been closed, sparking controversy.

According to the organization Foro Penal, as of June 3, there were over 400 individuals detained in Venezuela for political reasons or undergoing what are considered arbitrary judicial processes. The exact figures, however, vary depending on the source.