politics
May 7, 2026
Victims recounted alleged torture and disappearances at El Helicoide before the IACHR
On May 6, torture victims denounced abusive practices at El Helicoide before the IACHR, including isolation and disappearances.
TL;DR
- Victims of alleged torture and disappearances at El Helicoide presented their testimonies to the Inter-American Court of Human Rights (IACHR) on May 6.
- Ex-officials from PoliChacao described beatings, psychological torture, asphyxiation, and threats during their detention in 2016.
- Two detainees, Reyes Andrade and César Mijares, were reported missing for over a month, found later in critical condition with visible signs of torture.
- Testimonies suggest a pattern of temporary disappearances, isolation, and torture aimed at psychologically breaking detainees.
- Fred Mavares stated that the aggressions were not to obtain confessions but to psychologically subdue detainees, with officials admitting they knew detainees were innocent but claimed to be following orders.
- The IACHR had previously concluded that the Venezuelan state violated detainees' rights to personal liberty, physical integrity, and judicial guarantees, and failed to adequately investigate torture allegations.
- The case is historic as it's the first concerning political prisoners and torture allegations at El Helicoide to reach a decision from the IACHR.