US Condemns "Vile" Death of Jailed Venezuelan Opposition Figure

The United States has condemned as "vile" the death of a Venezuelan opposition politician in state custody. Alfredo Díaz, 56, died in his prison cell on Saturday, according to local human rights monitors. Díaz was the deputy mayor of the city of Valencia. Authorities had arrested him in 2023 on accusations of conspiring against the government, charges his supporters call politically motivated. His death has sparked immediate outcry from Venezuela's opposition coalition and international observers. They are demanding a full investigation into the circumstances. The US State Department stated the incident demonstrates the "vile" nature of President Nicolás Maduro's government. Venezuela's attorney general has announced an investigation into the death.