Wednesday, January 7, 2026- At least 14 members of the press were detained in Caracas on Monday while covering developments following the seizure of Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro by U.S. forces and the swearing-in of Delcy Rodríguez as interim president.
Most of those held were affiliated with foreign news outlets and were released later in the day, but one reporter was deported and others reported invasive searches of their phones and equipment by security personnel, according to Venezuela’s press workers’ union.
The detentions occurred around the National Assembly and the Altamira neighborhood, and two reporters were also detained briefly near the Colombia‑Venezuela border before being sent back into Colombia.
Journalists said their electronic devices were searched, and authorities checked social media activity and messages, prompting serious concern among press freedom advocates who called the incidents “alarming.”
The crackdown is unfolding amid a heavy security presence on the streets, with police, military forces, and armed pro‑government groups known as “colectivos” patrolling Caracas and other areas, creating widespread fear among residents critical of the authorities.
Locals report armed patrols checking phones and restricting public discussion of events, reflecting a broader pattern of repression and surveillance that has intensified since the disputed 2024 election and the recent dramatic political upheaval.
0 Comments