(IPYS/IFEX) – On 31 March 2004, journalist Moreyba Castellano, a correspondent for “El Tiempo” newspaper in south central Anzoátegui state, eastern Venezuela, was struck in the back with a blunt object while she was covering a demonstration by tranport workers in the city of Anaco. Castellano told IPYS that she was taking statements from a […]
(IPYS/IFEX) – On 31 March 2004, journalist Moreyba Castellano, a correspondent for “El Tiempo” newspaper in south central Anzoátegui state, eastern Venezuela, was struck in the back with a blunt object while she was covering a demonstration by tranport workers in the city of Anaco.
Castellano told IPYS that she was taking statements from a group of non-unionised drivers who had been blocking an Anaco street for four hours when Edgar Carrasco arrived, accompanied by a group of presumed supporters of President Hugo Chávez. Carrasco is the local coordinator for the ruling Movimiento Quinta República (MVR) party. The group immediately began to threaten journalists who were present at the scene. A woman named Marina Hurtado, who was part of the group, began to insult the journalists and told them they would be assaulted if they did not leave. A confrontation ensued and Castellano was struck in the back with one of the objects the alleged MRV supporters were carrying. The Anaco Municipal Police finally stopped the demonstration by launching tear gas canisters and firing pellets.
Castellano filed a complaint with Anaco’s XIV Prosecutor’s Office. She also went to see a forensic doctor, who said she was bruised and had sustained an injury between her shoulder blades.
On 1 April, Castellano went to the Anaco Municipal Police to request accompaniment to the Mayor’s Office, which was surrounded by ruling party supporters. At the Mayor’s Office she was confronted once again by Hurtado, who insulted her repeatedly and threatened to, once again, physically attack her. According to Castellano, Hurtado told her that she should “be prepared, because she would be attacked if found alone.”
