(IPYS/IFEX) – At 11:30 a.m. (local time) on 29 February 2004, Bernabé Rodríguez, a photojournalist for the weekly “El Tiempo” in Puerto La Cruz, northeastern Venezuela, received injuries to his face while he was covering demonstrations in the city of Barcelona, capital of Anzoátegui state. The incident occurred when a group of demonstrators who oppose […]
(IPYS/IFEX) – At 11:30 a.m. (local time) on 29 February 2004, Bernabé Rodríguez, a photojournalist for the weekly “El Tiempo” in Puerto La Cruz, northeastern Venezuela, received injuries to his face while he was covering demonstrations in the city of Barcelona, capital of Anzoátegui state.
The incident occurred when a group of demonstrators who oppose President Hugo Chávez confronted National Guard officers near the National Electoral Council’s (Consejo Nacional Electoral, CNE) offices in Barcelona.
According to Rodríguez, a “molotov cocktail”, a home-made explosive device containing glass and pieces of metal, was detonated just behind the National Guard officers, where he and other journalists were positioned. Afterwards, the reporters noted that Rodríguez’s face was covered with blood and glass and metal shards were spread throughout the area.
Rodríguez subsequently received medical treatment. None of the glass or metal shards became lodged in his face but he sustained light burns to his right cheek.
