Venezuela Archives - Page 2 of 3 - Committee to Protect Journalists

Venezuelan security forces clash with supporters of opposition leader Juan Guaidó on the Francisco de Paula Santander International Bridge, on February 25. CPJ traveled to the Colombian border city of Cúcuta to meet with journalists covering the Venezuelan crisis. (AFP/Raul Arboleda)

Uncertainty and risk for journalists stranded at Venezuelan border

April 4, 2019 4:07 PM EDT

As Venezuela’s political crisis deepens, and the country closes its border with Colombia following violent clashes in late February, CPJ’s emergencies director, María Salazar Ferro traveled to the Colombian border city Cúcuta, with Luisa Isaza, head of protection for the Colombian press freedom group FLIP, and CPJ’s Andes correspondent, John Otis. There, they met with…

A woman holds a placard reading "We Want Water and Electricity" during a protest during a new power outage in Venezuela, at Fuerzas Armadas Avenue in Caracas on March 31, 2019. Venezuelan police detained reporter Danilo Gil while covering protests on March 30 in the town of Ciudad Ojeda, and charged him with resisting authority. (AFP/Federico Parra)

Venezuelan police detain reporter Danilo Gil while covering protests, charge him with resisting authority

April 4, 2019 11:30 AM EDT

On March 30, 2019, police from Lagunillas, a municipality in Zulia state, beat and detained journalist Danilo Alberto Gil, a reporter for Venezuelan news outlet NotiRedVe–which operates on Twitter and Facebook–at around 9:30 a.m., while he was covering an opposition protest in the town of Ciudad Ojeda, according to posts on Twitter by NotiRedVe, local…

Journalists cover the release of five colleagues briefly detained in Caracas in January. The number of arbitrary arrests of local and foreign journalists covering Venezuela's political and economic crisis is increasing. (AFP/Juan Barreto)

Venezuela’s intimidation tactics include arbitrary arrests, deportation

March 29, 2019 12:43 PM EDT

When Venezuelan military officials detained American freelancer Cody Weddle on March 11, the experience was both frightening and bizarre. Weddle said that agents put a hood over his head and pressed him to reveal sources he had never spoken with. They suggested the reporter was a member of the CIA and would be charged with…

A photojournalist works in a Caracas hotel room during the third day of a massive power outage. Alongside power cuts, journalists must navigate internet blackouts imposed as Nicolás Maduro's government attempts to silence news of the opposition. (AFP/Juan Barreto)

Maduro’s internet blackout stifles news of Venezuela crisis

March 18, 2019 3:14 PM EDT

One of the world’s biggest news stories on March 4 was the daring return to Venezuela of opposition leader and self-proclaimed interim president Juan Guaidó, who faced possible arrest by the authoritarian regime of Nicolás Maduro. But most Venezuelans were unable to follow his homecoming.

German journalist Billy Six seen in Damascus on March 5, 2013. Six was recently released from prison in Venezuela, where he had been held for nearly four months. (Louai Beshara/AFP)

German freelancer Billy Six freed, leaves Venezuela after 4 months in prison

March 18, 2019 10:37 AM EDT

New York, March 18, 2019 — German freelance reporter Billy Six returned to Germany yesterday after spending almost four months in detention in Venezuela, according to news reports.

Caracas, Venezuela, seen on May 20, 2018. A Polish reporter was recently attacked by unknown assailants in Caracas. (Marco Bello/Reuters)

Polish reporter Tomasz Surdel assaulted in Venezuela

March 15, 2019 4:34 PM EDT

Miami, March 15, 2019 — Venezuelan authorities should conduct an urgent and thorough investigation into the violent assault of reporter Tomasz Surdel, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today.

A member of the Bolivarian National Intelligence Service stands guard in Caracas, Venezuela, on May 16, 2018. Journalist Luis Carlos Díaz was recently detained by intelligence agents in Caracas. (Carlos Garcia Rawlins/Reuters)

Venezuelan intelligence agents detain critical journalist

March 12, 2019 10:09 AM EDT

Miami, March 12, 2019 — Venezuelan authorities should immediately release radio journalist Luis Carlos Díaz, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today.

Supporters of the Venezuelan opposition leader Juan Guaido take part in a rally against Nicolas Maduro's government in Caracas, Venezuela, on March 4, 2019. Venezuelan counterintelligence agents detained a U.S. freelancer and his Venezuelan fixer on March 6. (Reuters/Carlos Garcia Rawlins)

Venezuelan counterintelligence agents detain U.S. freelancer, Venezuelan fixer

March 6, 2019 5:06 PM EST

Miami, March 6, 2019–Venezuelan authorities should immediately release a U.S. freelance journalist and a Venezuelan fixer who were detained after counterintelligence agents raided their homes this morning in Caracas, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today.

Jorge Ramos, anchor of Spanish-language U.S. television network Univision, talks to the media as he prepares to leave the country at the Simon Bolivar international airport in Caracas, Venezuela, on February 26, 2019. (Carlos Garcia Rawlins/Reuters)

Venezuelan authorities must return equipment to Jorge Ramos, Univision crew

February 26, 2019 1:20 PM EST

Miami, February 26, 2019–The Committee to Protect Journalists today condemned the detention yesterday of a Univision news team at the Miraflores presidential palace in Caracas and its expulsion today, and called on Venezuelan authorities to immediately return confiscated equipment.

A crowd of opposition supporters gather to listen to Venezuela's National Assembly head, Juan Guaido, in Chacao, eastern Caracas, on January 25, 2019. (AFP/Federico Parra)

CPJ Safety Advisory: Covering the political crisis in Venezuela

January 25, 2019 5:24 PM EST

UPDATED: This safety advisory was updated on February 20, 2019. In response to disputed election results, Venezuelans from both sides have taken to the streets in recent weeks, according to news reports. The crisis began following the inauguration of President Nicolás Maduro to his second term on January 10, after an electoral process characterized by…