Both national and foreign journalists face a climate of hostility and repression, marked by arbitrary arrests, threats, physical attacks, censorship and restrictions on information access. RSF strongly condemns these violations and demands immediate restoration of journalists' rights.
This statement was originally published on rsf.org on 13 August 2024.
In addition to President Maduro’s ban on X (formerly Twitter) and the messaging app Signal, Reporters Without Borders (RSF) found at least 70 violations of press freedom committed by the authorities since the presidential elections on July 28, 2024. Both national and foreign journalists face a climate of hostility and repression, marked by arbitrary arrests, threats, physical attacks, censorship and restrictions on information access. RSF strongly condemns these violations and demands immediate restoration of journalists’ rights.
As protests condemning electoral fraud grip Venezuela, journalists have faced threats, censorship and arrests. In just two weeks, RSF has found at least 70 cases of attacks against the press. These include 18 cases of restrictions to access, 30 acts of intimidation and threats, 9 detentions (4 journalists are still in prison), 9 expulsions of foreign journalists and 4 physical attacks. These incidents, all reported in the two weeks following the presidential elections, reflect a systematic pattern of harassment and repression.
“As Venezuela’s political instability grows amidst allegations of electoral fraud, journalists face increasing repression. The expulsions, arrests, threats and attacks endured by journalists have amplified censorship during this critical political moment, creating a total lack of democratic transparency and accountability. The 70 cases that RSF documented in just 15 days, including the deportations of foreign journalists, demonstrate the government’s determination to silence voices and limit public debate.”
Artur Romeu, Director of RSF’s Latin America Desk
Four journalists charged with terrorism offenses
Of the nine journalists arrested while covering the elections, four are still being held on serious pretextual charges. Yuosnel Alvarado, a photojournalist for Noticias Digital, faces terrorism charges and is being held incommunicado at the Bolivarian National Guard (GNB) detachment No. 33, without access to private defense. Paúl León, VPI TV cameraman, was arrested on charges of incitement to violence and obstruction of public order, and remains incommunicado at the Valera 2.0 police station command. Deisy Peña, a photographer for the Carrizal Mayor’s Office, was arrested without a warrant after covering a peaceful protest and is being held in a PNB module in Los Teques. José Gregorio Carnero, journalist and broadcaster, is also still detained, facing charges of conspiracy and subversive activities. The charges against Alvarado, León, Peña and Carnero all fall under the category of terrorism. Joaquín de Ponte, detained at Detachment 343, also faced charges of terrorism as well as incitement to hatred before he was released.
At least 9 foreign journalists expelled from the country
Following a clear pattern of hostility towards the foreign press, nine media professionals were targeted: two of them were detained and deported, while the others were banned from entering the country. On July 28, Colombian journalists Carolina Trinidad and Vanessa de la Torre, of Caracol Radio, were expelled from the Maiquetía airport with no explanation. Days later, on 1 August, Chilean journalists Iván Núñez and José Luis Tapia were detained and held incommunicado at the military post of Chururú, Barinas, after entering the country through Cúcuta, Colombia. The Chilean ambassador had to intervene to secure their release. On 2 August, Spanish journalist Alvaro Nieto, director of The Objective, was deported after a two-hour interrogation concerning his criticism of the Maduro regime. Finally, on 3 August, Ecuadorian journalist Dayana Krays was arrested after covering a protest by the opposition.
Media and internet censorship
On 7 August, the Venezuelan president announced a criminal investigation against those responsible for the web page ResultadosConVzla. On 8 August, he ordered the suspension for 10 days of the social media platform X blocked Signal, and urged citizens to delete WhatsApp. On 9 August, the government blocked the platform Reddit. Local organizations report that broadcasters have been threatened with of sanctions if they cover the protests.
