At least 10 journalists and press workers continue to be “illegally and arbitrarily” detained, according to the National Union of Press Workers (SNTP), which continues to demand their immediate release.
The renowned journalist and human rights defender Carlos Correa turns one week this Tuesday in a situation of forced disappearance after having been intercepted by alleged officials of the State security forces.
Correa, director of Espacio Público, an organization that promotes and defends human rights, especially freedom of expression, suffers from several illnesses. His relatives report that, until now, they have not been able to get him his medications.
The Minister of the Interior and Justice, Diosdado Cabello, said that “political activists” disguise their actions through NGOs, which he called “money launderers,” and stated that Correa is involved in an alleged “conspiracy” against the government.
On Thursday of last week, while covering an opposition protest in the state of Zulia (western Venezuela), Leandro Palmar was arrested, who was subsequently accused of the crimes of terrorism, incitement to hatred, association to commit a crime and disturbing public order. according to the SNTP.
Julio Balza, a member of the press team of the opposition leader, María Corina Machado, was also arrested.
Several journalists were arrested and charged with alleged terrorism and hate speech following the July 28 presidential election.
Although some were released in December (Yuosnel Alvarado, Paúl León, Deysi Peña, Gilberto Reina and Ana Carolina Guaita), after the Public Ministry carried out a review of the cases of dozens of people deprived of liberty in the post-electoral context, about them There are judicial restrictions, such as the filing regime, prohibition of leaving the country or referring to their cases in public.
Journalists and political leaders Roland Carreño, Biagio Pilieri and José Gregorio Camero remain in prison since August of last year. Before the elections, journalists Gabriel González, Luis López and Carlos Julio Rojas, also a political and social activist, had been arrested.
Last week, Reporters Without Borders (RSF) urged Venezuelan authorities to end the “abusive restrictions” imposed on arrested journalists.
The Penal Forum has counted 83 people detained for political reasons between January 1 and 12.
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