Luis Rivas Velasquez Died While in Custody at Alligator Alcatraz
On August 5, Venezuelan influencer Luis Rivas Velasquez died while detained at Alligator Alcatraz, a migrant detention center in the Florida Everglades. Journalist Madelein Garcia reported the circumstances surrounding his death on Wednesday.
Rivas Velasquez’s partner, Rosana Nadoz, stated that he suffered from fever, chest pain, and open sores, receiving no medical attention. Despite having signed a voluntary deportation order, he remained incarcerated as his health continued to decline until his death. “They left him to die there like a dog,” Nadoz said, in a tearful denouncement of his treatment, which included a lack of access to food and basic hygiene conditions.
Known for his role as a presenter and host at motorsport events, Rivas Velasquez had a significant following on social media in Venezuela. His death sparked outrage over the living conditions at Alligator Alcatraz.
Since its opening, Alligator Alcatraz has faced accusations of human rights violations. The center, operational for just a month, has reportedly held around 750 migrants in overcrowded conditions, some confined to cages. The Florida Immigrant Coalition (FLIC) claims that at least 1,000 individuals have been detained since its inception.
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has not included Alligator Alcatraz in its official statistics, complicating opportunities for independent monitoring. The lack of a public registry concerning detainees raises further concerns over transparency.
The facility has become a crucial element of an expedited deportation policy spearheaded by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), which includes direct flights back to migrants’ home countries and geographic segregation based on nationality.
This initiative has received substantial funding: ICE is set to obtain $45 billion through 2029, allowing for the daily detention of up to 116,000 individuals, according to the American Immigration Council.
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem has confirmed that discussions are in progress with five Republican-led states to mirror Florida’s model. The state allocated $450 million, declaring an “emergency” to justify the construction of Alligator Alcatraz.
The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) and Americans for Immigrant Justice have initiated legal action against the mass detention practices, challenging the lack of access to legal representation for detainees. Additionally, Friends of the Everglades has filed a lawsuit regarding the environmental implications of the detention center.
Reports of human rights concerns and the mishandling of migrants accessed by the current administration continue to fuel public outrage over the treatment of individuals at Alligator Alcatraz, as advocates call for accountability and reform.
, reports 24brussels.
