At least 14 journalists and media workers were detained in Caracas on Monday, according to Venezuela’s National Union of Press Workers. Thirteen of those detained were members of international media organisations. The union said that 13 journalists were later released, including one who was deported, while one journalist remained in the custody of intelligence services.
The detentions occurred three days after a pre-dawn US military raid in Caracas that led to the capture of Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores. Both are currently facing multiple criminal charges in a federal court in New York.
Independent journalism inside Venezuela remains heavily restricted, with authorities frequently denying visas to foreign reporters. According to the union, five journalists were detained while covering the opening session of the National Assembly, where they were barred from filming, live broadcasting or taking photographs.
Other journalists were detained by military intelligence officers and taken to a National Guard command post inside the Assembly building. The union said their mobile phones were confiscated and searched in detail. Authorities reportedly reviewed contacts, private messages, voice notes, social media accounts, emails and stored documents.
The union has expressed concern over press freedom and the safety of journalists working in the country during a period of political uncertainty and increased security measures.
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