Venezuela’s political prisoners’ mothers: three months of vigil at el helicoide
Three months. That’s how long mothers, wives, and children of political prisoners have maintained a continuous vigil outside El Helicoide, the notorious Caracas headquarters of Venezuela’s Bolivarian National Intelligence Service (SEBIN). It's a quiet, unwavering act of defiance against a backdrop of arbitrary detentions and systemic legal failings.
A silent protest against prolonged injustice
The Committee for the Freedom of Political Prisoners reports the families began their vigil on January 8, 2026, and haven't wavered since. El Helicoide, once a shopping center, now stands as a grim symbol of the Maduro regime's tactics, replete with documented accusations of torture, prolonged isolation, and conditions that fall far below international human rights standards. Hundreds have passed through its doors in recent years, many arrested following the 2024 protests and earlier crackdowns on dissent.
What began with a glimmer of hope – the announcement of a significant number of detainee releases just prior to the vigil – has devolved into a frustrating stalemate. Dozens of cases remain unresolved, and families describe a legal system riddled with irregularities, where prisoners often face complete isolation and severely restricted contact with the outside world. The vigil itself has become an “altar of hope,” a corner transformed with photographs of detainees, flickering candles, and banners demanding freedom.
The sheer scale of the crisis is staggering.Organizations estimate over 2,500 families have been impacted by the arbitrary detention of opposition members, activists, former military personnel, and ordinary citizens. Despite persistent surveillance by security forces, the families remain steadfast. Foro Penal, a human rights organization, meticulously documents the abuses, painting a picture of a justice system turned weapon.
But the vigil isn't just about demanding release; it's about holding the regime accountable. The Committee for the Freedom of Political Prisoners highlights the fundamental right to due process and fair treatment, a right routinely denied within the walls of El Helicoide. The unwavering commitment of these families speaks volumes about the resilience of the Venezuelan spirit, a spirit that refuses to be silenced even in the face of oppression.
The families' demand is simple and unequivocal: the immediate and unconditional release of all political prisoners. The vigil continues into its fourth month, fueled by a deep-seated faith and a conviction that justice, however delayed, will ultimately prevail. The scene outside El Helicoide is a stark reminder that the fight for freedom in Venezuela is far from over.