Maduro's fall spotlights the Helicoide prison in Caracas.

Nicolás Maduro was captured in a U.S. raid and taken to New York to face trial, and reporting highlights the Helicoide in Caracas as a site where the U.N. says political prisoners were held and tortured while authorities have begun releasing a small number of detainees.

The former Helicoide project began in the 1950s as an ambitious shopping-center design and later became a prominent structure in Caracas. Over decades it was taken over by the state and used by the national intelligence service for offices and detentions. The United Nations and former detainees have reported that political prisoners were held there and subjected to mistreatment. After Nicolás Maduro was captured and renditioned to New York to face trial, remnants of his regime began releasing a small number of prisoners. Current known points: - Nicolás Maduro was captured in a U.S. raid and taken to New York to face trial, according to the report. - The Helicoide was originally conceived as a 1950s modernist shopping complex and was later controlled by state intelligence services. - The United Nations has reported that political prisoners were held at the Helicoide and that detainees have alleged mistreatment. - Officials began freeing a small number of detainees this week, with nine released as of Friday, while reporting indicates hundreds remain detained. Summary: The account links Maduro’s capture and legal transfer to renewed attention on the Helicoide’s role in detentions and allegations of abuse. Maduro’s presence in New York for trial is the next major procedural development; broader outcomes for detained people there are undetermined at this time.