Venezuelan families mark three months outside sebin hq demanding justice for political prisoners

Three months into their relentless vigil, the mothers, wives, and children of Venezuela's political prisoners remain steadfast outside the Bolivarian National Intelligence Service (SEBIN) headquarters in Caracas. Since January 8, the families have maintained an uninterrupted prayer vigil and peaceful protest, demanding the immediate release of their loved ones arbitrarily detained by the regime.

Emblematic el helicoide prison fuels outrage

El Helicoide, a former shopping center turned political prison, has a long history of inhumane conditions and international complaints of torture, prolonged isolation, and abuse. According to data from groups like Foro Penal, hundreds of Venezuelans have passed through its grim facilities in recent years, many arrested for political reasons following the 2024 protests and earlier periods. The vigil began just after authorities announced the release of a significant number of detainees, but dozens of cases remain unresolved.

Families report legal proceedings plagued by serious irregularities, with many prisoners facing total isolation or severe restrictions on visits and food deliveries. The Committee for the Freedom of Political Prisoners has turned the corner near El Helicoide into an