Death of Venezuelan opposition figure in custody 'vile', US says

Alfredo Díaz, 56, died in prison cell on Saturday, human rights groups say, prompting opposition outcry.

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Alfredo Díaz died in his prison cell at the El Helicoide prison in Caracas where he was being held for more than a year, human rights organisations and opposition groups have said.

The Venezuelan government said the 56-year-old showed signs of a heart attack and was taken to hospital, where he died on Saturday.

The US intervention is the latest in an escalating war of words between the Trump administration and Maduro, who has accused it of seeking regime change.

In recent months, the US has increased its military presence in the region and has carried out a series of deadly strikes on boats it says have been used for smuggling drugs.