Passing of Venezuelan Opposition Figure in Custody Called 'Despicable' by US Officials.

The US government has lashed out at the administration in Caracas over the fatality of a imprisoned opposition figure, calling it a "clear indication of the vile nature" of President Nicolás Maduro's government.

The former governor was found dead in his cell at the El Helicoide facility in Caracas, where he had been detained for in excess of twelve months, according to rights groups and political opponents.

The Venezuelan government reported that the man in his fifties showed symptoms of a cardiac arrest and was rushed to a hospital, where he died on Saturday.

Escalating Tensions Between Washington and Venezuela

This new criticism from the US is part of an growing exchange of rhetoric between the American government and President Maduro, who has alleged the US of pursuing a change in government.

In the past few months, the United States has increased its armed forces deployment in the Latin America and has executed a succession of fatal operations on boats it says have been used for smuggling narcotics.

US President Donald Trump has accused Maduro personally of being the chief of one of the country's cartels—an claim the Venezuelan president vehemently denies—and has hinted at military action "on the ground".

"He had been 'held without cause' in a 'facility for mistreatment'," declared the US foreign policy division.

Context of the Arrest

Díaz was arrested in that year after being among many political opponents to dispute the conclusion of that period's presidential election.

Venezuela's state-run election council announced Maduro the victor, despite figures from dissidents suggesting their contender had won by a wide margin.

The electoral process were broadly rejected on the world stage as neither free nor fair, and triggered demonstrations across the country.

The former governor, who led the Nueva Esparta state, was charged of "promoting hatred" and "terrorist acts" for questioning Maduro's declaration of success.

Responses from Advocates and the Opposition

Venezuelan rights organization Foro Penal has raised concerns over declining conditions for political prisoners in the country.

"One more detained dissident has died in Venezuelan jails. He had been imprisoned for a year, in solitary confinement," posted Alfredo Romero, the body's director, on a social media platform.

He said that he had only been permitted one meeting from his family during the whole time of his imprisonment. He added that 17 political prisoners have passed away in the nation since 2014.

Opposition groups have also denounced the government over the passing of Díaz.

María Corina Machado, a leading dissident figure who won this period's Nobel Peace Prize but who is in seclusion to escape capture, said that the governor's death was not a one-off event.

"Tragically, it contributes to an disturbing and heartbreaking series of demises of jailed opponents detained in the aftermath of the post-election suppression," she said.

The coalition of rivals declared that Díaz "passed away unfairly".

Díaz's own political party, Democratic Action (AD), also remembered the ex-leader, saying he had been unjustly detained without fair treatment and had remained in circumstances "that should never have violated his human rights".

Broader International Strains

Strains between the United States and Venezuela have become increasingly strained over what Trump has described as efforts to stem the flow of narcotics and migrants into the US.

• US air strikes on boats in the regional waters have resulted in the deaths of over eighty persons.
• Trump has claimed Maduro of "clearing out his jails and insane asylums" into the US.
• The US has classified two Venezuelan narco-groups as terror groups.

Maduro has in turn accused the US of using its war on drugs as an justification to remove his socialist government and get its hands on Venezuela's huge crude oil deposits.

The United States has also positioned a sizable armada—its most substantial presence in the region in decades—along with numerous soldiers.

In a parallel action, the Venezuelan army according to reports swore in more than 5,600 soldiers in one go on Saturday, in response to what military leaders described as US "aggression".