Venezuelan press workers detained in Venezuela demand release

Eight international organizations dedicated to the promotion and defense of press freedom demanded the immediate release of the Eight press workers arrested in Venezuela in the context of the post-election protests that took place at the end of June.

“In defense of journalism and the right of the Venezuelan population to independent, plural and reliable information – especially at a time of profound institutional crisis such as the one the country is going through – the undersigned organizations demand the immediate and full release of these journalists,” said a statement signed by Freedom House, Reporters Without Borders, Foundation for Press Freedom, Fundademedios, Free Press Unlimited, International Press Institute (IPI), IFEX – ALC and Voces del Sur.

NGOs stressed that after the presidential elections on July 28, Venezuela has seen an escalation in restrictions and censorship imposed by the government of Nicolás Maduro.

“Dozens of newspapers and digital media have faced website blockages, multiple foreign journalists have been expelled from the country, and the passports of several press workers have been revoked. Added to this is the constant intimidation by security forces of journalists working in different regions of the country. The detention of these eight journalists, however, is an extreme measure that lacks any legality and, therefore, must be immediately revoked,” they said.

Who are the eight detained press workers?

The eight press workers arrested after the elections are: Luis López (reporter/La Guaira), Yuosnel Alvarado (photojournalist/Barinas), Paúl León (cameraman/Trujillo), Deysi Peña (photojournalist/Miranda), José Gregorio Camero (producer and presenter/Guárico), Eleángel Navas (photographer and community manager/Anzoátegui), Gilberto Reina (reporter/Bolívar) and Ana Carolina Guaita (reporter/La Guaira).

Journalists and communicators are accused of crimes such as terrorism, incitement to hatred, criminal association and resistance to authority, which carry sentences of between 12 and 20 years in prison.

“This is worrying, as it is clear that these crimes are being distorted to be applied to journalists in order to silence them,” the organizations warned.

They stressed that The arrests of press workers have presented multiple irregularities such as arrests without informing journalists of the charges against them or holding hearings that did not respect due process, sentencing some to 45 days in prison.

“Likewise, their defense is being handled by court-appointed lawyers, since they have been denied representation by trusted private lawyers. It is worth noting that the whereabouts of some journalists are uncertain,” they added.

“We call on multilateral organizations and the international community of countries that maintain political and economic relations with Venezuela to urgently demand the full release of the detained journalists, at the risk of causing irreparable damage. Journalism is not a crime! Freedom now!” they concluded.