El Helicoide: From Futuristic Mall to Notorious Venezuelan Prison
Caracas, Venezuela – El Helicoide, an imposing structure originally envisioned as a revolutionary shopping mall, has grow synonymous with political repression and human rights abuses in Venezuela. As the country navigates a fragile transition, the fate of the building – and what it represents – remains a contentious issue, with calls for it to be preserved as a memorial to the atrocities committed within its walls.
A Vision of Modernity Turned Dark
Constructed in the 1950s during the presidency of Marcos Pérez Jiménez, El Helicoide was intended to be a symbol of Venezuela’s burgeoning economic prosperity fueled by its oil industry. Designed by architects Pedro Neuberger, Dirk Bornhorst, and Jorge Romero Gutiérrez, the building’s unique design featured seven levels spiraling around a massive rock, accessible via wide ramps intended for vehicular traffic. It was conceived as a “drive-in” mall, a novel concept at the time, boasting plans for hundreds of shops, eight cinemas, a five-star hotel, and even a helipad [1].
Cultural historian Celeste Olalquiaga notes that the structure impressed architects globally, with some publications questioning how the United States, a leader in commercial center development, hadn’t combined roads and shopping spaces in a similar way [1].
From Abandonment to Intelligence Headquarters
However, the ambitious project was never completed. The collapse of the Pérez Jiménez dictatorship in 1958 led to a loss of political support and funding, leaving the structure unfinished and lacking essential infrastructure like plumbing and electricity [1]. After a period of abandonment and brief use as temporary housing for flood victims, El Helicoide was taken over by DISIP, Venezuela’s intelligence police, in the 1980s [1]. This marked the beginning of its transformation into a detention and torture center.
A Center for Human Rights Abuses
Under the administration of Nicolás Maduro, human rights abuses within El Helicoide intensified. Political prisoners, including activists and opposition figures, were subjected to systemic torture and inhumane conditions. Javier Tarazona, a human rights activist, described being held in a small cell known as “the little tiger” with two other inmates, with limited access to the outside world [2]. He alleges being forced to ingest a mind-altering drug, scopolamine, in an attempt to coerce confessions against opposition leaders [2].
Jesus Armas, who spent 14 months imprisoned at El Helicoide, recounted the psychological torment of constant artificial light, with wardens never switching it off, creating a sense of anxiety and paranoia [2].
Amnesty and the Debate Over El Helicoide’s Future
With a recent amnesty law leading to the release of hundreds of political prisoners, the future of El Helicoide is now under debate. Acting President Delcy Rodriguez has proposed converting the building into a sports complex for police officers and residents of nearby communities [2]. However, opposition leaders and human rights advocates argue that this would be an attempt to erase the crimes committed within its walls.
Armas advocates for transforming El Helicoide into a museum, ensuring that the abuses suffered by prisoners are never forgotten [2]. Tarazona similarly suggests establishing a memorial center, akin to Robben Island in South Africa, to promote non-repetition and collective memory [2].
Historian Olalquiaga suggests a more nuanced approach, preserving the prison cells as a memorial while utilizing the remaining space to benefit surrounding communities [1].
El Helicoide stands as a stark reminder of Venezuela’s turbulent past and the importance of accountability and remembrance as the nation moves forward.