Venezuela acknowledges death of detained opposition figure

Venezuela has acknowledged that an opposition figure died while in custody, as the Trump administration called Caracas “vile” and the South American country’s army swore in thousands of new soldiers amid mounting US military pressure.

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Leftist President Nicolas Maduro has called for stepped-up military recruitment after the US deployed a fleet of warships and the world’s largest aircraft carrier to the Caribbean under the pretext of combating drug trafficking.

Washington has accused Mr Maduro of leading the alleged “Cartel of the Suns”, which it declared a terrorist organisation in November.

Under US President Donald Trump, US forces have carried out deadly strikes on more than 20 alleged drug-smuggling vessels, killing at least 87 people.

But the passing of former opposition governor Alfredo Diaz, who rights groups said died in prison on Dec 6 having been detained on charges of terrorism and incitement, has amplified the human rights dimension of the crisis.