Inside the Venezuelan prison meant to 'drive you insane'

Former political prisoners in Venezuela's notorious Rodeo I prison struggle to forget the harsh treatments they endured at the hands of hooded guards. This maximum-security facility, part of a cluster of towers on the outskirts of Caracas, is solely intended for those opposing the government. Several former inmates are determined to expose the conditions inside, despite the threat of retaliation from authorities.

Freddy Superlano, a released Venezuelan opposition politician, shares the grim stories of relatives outside the prison walls. The prison, also known as El Rodeo I, is home to at least 20 political prisoners who have died in custody, according to the rights group Foro Penal. Over 344 people are currently imprisoned for political reasons, with dozens held in Rodeo I. Conditions are dire, with inmates confined to two-by-three meter cells, suffering from insect infestations, disease, and lack of water.

One former inmate, Whillfer Pina, describes the constant barrage of government propaganda and the surreal atmosphere of the prison. The prison's most extreme punishment, known as the "time capsule," involves keeping inmates hooded and handcuffed, providing minimal food and water. Human rights organizations have called for the immediate closure of Rodeo I, citing systematic human rights violations.