(IPYS/IFEX) – Between 28 February and 1 March 2004, four photojournalists for the regional daily “Avance” were attacked, threatened or prevented from carrying out their work in the city of San Antonio de los Altos, near Caracas. Tito Díaz was injured when he was hit by pellets, Antonio González had a gun pointed at him […]
(IPYS/IFEX) – Between 28 February and 1 March 2004, four photojournalists for the regional daily “Avance” were attacked, threatened or prevented from carrying out their work in the city of San Antonio de los Altos, near Caracas. Tito Díaz was injured when he was hit by pellets, Antonio González had a gun pointed at him and received a death threat, Juan Calabrés had to dodge pellets and Jorge Ortuño was forced to leave the area where he was carrying out his journalist work.
Adriana Álamo, the daily’s head of information, told IPYS that, on 29 February, Díaz was injured when he was hit by pellets fired by National Guard officers. The incident took place between 5:00 and 6:00 p.m. (local time) when Díaz witnessed National Guard officers assaulting a man. When the officers realised that Díaz was photographing the incident, they tried to seize his camera. Failing to do so, they hit him with the butt of a gun and confiscated a two-way radio that belonged to “Avance”. They subsequently shot him in the legs with pellets.
A complaint was filed with the Public Prosecutor’s Office. When asked by “Avance” personnel, the National Guard said they would return the daily’s radio, adding that they had not taken it from the reporter but rather had found it on the ground.
Although the pellets did not result in fractures, Díaz will not be able to work for three weeks and has to use crutches.
In the same location where Díaz was injured, Calabrés had to dodge pellets fired by National Guard officers close to where he was standing.
On 1 March, González had a gun pointed at him and received a death threat from military personnel. Local residents helped the photojournalist take refuge in a nearby store.
On 28 February, Ortuño was also threatened by National Guard officers who yelled at him, saying he was “conspiring, not working.” The journalist was forced to leave the area after being ordered to do so by one of the officers.
As the situation in Venezuela deteriorates, a number of journalists and media workers have been attacked or injured.