Although the number of violations of freedom of expression is less than that of 2024, in the same period of time, patterns of censorship, intimidation, arbitrary arrests and digital blockages persist, denounces the NGO Public Space NGO
Between January and August of this year, 89 cases were documented that derived in 167 violations of the right to freedom of expression in the country, according to the most recent Public Space NGO Report. Although the figure represents a 64% decrease compared to the same 2024 period, the organization warns that it does not reflect a structural improvement, since last year it was marked by a generalized repression linked to the presidential elections.
The month with more complaints was January, with 39 cases, coinciding with the presidential possession in which Nicolás Maduro sworn, despite the fact that the opposition ensures that the winner was Edmundo González.
The most common forms of rape were censorship and intimidation (48 cases each), followed by administrative restrictions (24), judicial harassment (23) and verbal (13). 11 threats were also recorded.
The report alerts on blackouts and connectivity failures that affected Internet access at least 10 times, in addition to the closure of four radio stations by Conatel in Bolívar, Táchira and Portuguese.
Outstanding cases
- On February 21, Conatel closed Victoria 100.9 FM and Stilos 93.1 FM in Portuguese and seized his teams.
- On July 27, in Cojedes, the journalist Pilar Guerra was arrested and prevented from covering an electoral event.
- On August 24, Mexican journalists Israel Navarro and Gerardo Torres were expelled after 24 hours retained at the Maiquetía airport.
Arrests
In the first two semester there were 24 arrests, mainly individuals (13) and journalists (eight). More than 30 detainees of 2024 are still imprisoned, including communicators Gabriel González, Luis López, Víctor Ugas and Leocenis García.
One of the most serious cases was that of the journalist of The pinRory Branker, missing for 206 days until his relatives confirmed that he was held in the dungeons of the Bolivarian National Police (PNB) in Caracas. The IACHR granted precautionary measures in August.
Also, journalist Nakary Mena Ramos, from Venezuela Impactcontinues to be detained since April, accused of “hate instigation” after publishing a report on insecurity in Caracas.
The journalists were the most affected group regarding the violation of freedom of expression (30 victims, 35% of the total), followed by individuals (15) and media/digital platforms (12 each).
State institutions (45%) and security forces (28%) concentrated most of the aggressions, followed by private operators (19%).
In January, in addition, the Tiktok social network was blocked for 16 consecutive nights, while in March the International Agency’s website was censored EFE.
The monitoring also reveals an increase in the use of presidential chains: between January and August 74 chains were transmitted that added more than 100 hours in the air, compared to the 34 that were recorded in the same period of 2024. July, month of municipal elections, concentrated the largest amount of transmissions.
*Journalism in Venezuela is exercised in a hostile environment for the press with dozens of legal instruments arranged for the punishment of the word, especially the laws “against hatred”, “against fascism” and “against blockade.” This content was written taking into consideration the threats and limits that, consequently, have been imposed on the dissemination of information from within the country.
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