Venezuelan Minister Criticizes U.S. Immigration Detention Facility
Dr. Diosdado Cabello, the Venezuelan Minister of Home Affairs, referred to an immigration detention center at Dade Carrier Training and Transition Airport—commonly known as “Alligator Alcatraz”—as a “concentration camp.” He suggested it exemplifies “racism and supremacy” in the United States.
Cabello, a prominent figure in the Venezuelan socialist regime and wanted by U.S. authorities on several drug-related charges, made these claims during a recent broadcast of his show. He criticized the facility by arguing that its purpose is to “clean people who do not share the same mindset as fascist extremists,” declaring that “there are no human rights in the United States.”
“They’ve built prisons to keep out so-called crocodiles and snakes, so anyone who tries to escape will face them outside. It’s part of this narrative,” Cabello remarked. He claimed that individuals sent to this facility often haven’t committed crimes and will find themselves ensnared in a “new fascism” akin to the Nazi regime.
He elaborated, saying, “Neopascism seems to be imposing this model, seeking to eliminate those who don’t fit into their worldview. It’s about racism—a belief that one is superior to others, particularly those who don’t share their skin color or social class.”
As a leading member of Venezuela’s ruling Socialist Party, Cabello criticized the lack of outrage in America over these detention centers. He argued that if Venezuela operated similar facilities, there would be widespread protests.
Furthermore, Cabello expressed confusion over the Venezuelan opposition not voicing their concerns about what he described as abuses against Venezuelans in the U.S., linked to the so-called actions of Alligator Alcatraz and the Trump administration. He noted that while they claim freedom to express their opinions, dissenters criticizing the U.S. are often silenced and sanctioned.
It’s important to note that the Venezuelan regime has a notorious history of human rights violations against its own citizens, including the use of torture against political opponents. In the wake of a contested presidential election in July 2024, reports indicate at least 25 deaths and thousands of detentions, involving even minors in some cases.
Cabello himself initiated a crackdown on opposition known as Operation “Tun Tun,” aimed at identifying and punishing dissenters, which has led to mass arrests and forced confessions under duress.
The Maduro regime is also known for operating multiple detention and torture facilities for political prisoners. One of the most notorious is the Helicoid, an unfinished structure originally intended as a shopping mall, which has become synonymous with human rights abuses under Maduro.
Late last year, two additional prison centers were repurposed to target opponents following the elections, referred to as “reeducation centers” for those labeled as anti-socialist. Such measures seem to solidify a pattern of repression by the Maduro administration against dissenting voices.
