At least two journalists were reportedly seized by agents working for Venezuela's military counterintelligence agency, while others were detained by the country's intelligence service. According to the union statement, authorities searched their equipment, checked their phones, and read their social media posts and messages. A Colombian and a Spanish reporter were also detained near Cúcuta, on Venezuela's border with Colombia. These two reporters were held incommunicado for several hours before being released.
The detentions took place as Delcy Rodríguez was sworn in as interim president. Her inauguration followed shortly after she expressed a willingness to cooperate with the Trump administration, which has previously stated its intention to "run" Venezuela, signaling a continued hardline stance from Washington.
Foreign news media have long faced restrictions in Venezuela, with very few journalists being granted visas to work in the country. This has made objective reporting from within Venezuela increasingly difficult, contributing to a limited understanding of the political and economic situation for international audiences. The Venezuelan government has often accused foreign media of biased reporting and interference in its internal affairs.
The detentions highlight the ongoing challenges faced by journalists operating in Venezuela, where press freedom has been steadily eroded in recent years. International organizations such as the Committee to Protect Journalists and Reporters Without Borders have repeatedly condemned the Venezuelan government's actions against the media, citing censorship, harassment, and arbitrary detentions. The current status of the detained journalists beyond the Colombian and Spanish reporters remains unclear, and further developments are expected as international pressure mounts on the Venezuelan government to respect press freedom.
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