The National Union of Press Workers (SNTP) denounced that in Venezuela the arrests of journalists and communicators They are not based on proven crimes, but on their informative work, the dissemination of critical opinions or their political militancy. In many cases, defendants face charges such as terrorism, incitement to hatred or criminal conspiracy, without access to a fair trial or the possibility of defense.
“There are 24 journalists, communicators and press workers detained illegally and arbitrarily. As the hours go by, the number increases because relatives of the victims who had not reported it out of fear are allowing us to document and make visible,” said the SNTP through a publication in X.
These arrests occur days after Jorge Rodríguez, president of the National Assembly, announced a process for the release of political prisoners, however, the communicators remain deprived of liberty.
He SNTP published a detailed list of the cases, which includes journalists, cameramen and communicators with charges ranging from criminal association to inciting hatred and terrorism. Among them are:
1. Ramón Centeno (February 2, 2022)
Former reporter for Latest News. He was arrested while investigating drug trafficking. The government linked him to the Iron Hands operation. Charged with the crimes of criminal association, influence peddling and usurpation of functions.
2. Jonathan Carrillo (July 20, 2022)
Student, thesis student in Social Communication. National Assembly worker. He was in El Helicoide for three years and 6 months ago he was transferred to Yare II. Charged with the crimes of illicit migration of foreigners, use of a false public document, usurpation of functions and association to commit a crime. To date, the trial has not started.
3. Carlos Julio Rojas (April 15, 2024)
Accused of being part of and instigating an alleged attack against Nicolás Maduro. Stay in El Helicoide.
4. Luis López (June 14, 2024)
Detained in La Guaira. Charged with the crimes of incitement to hate, criminal association and financing of terrorism. Relatives report that he has been threatened and attacked for practicing journalism. He is being held in the El Rodeo I prison.
5. Gabriel González (June 17, 2024)
Part of María Corina Machado’s press team. Charged with the crimes of terrorism, incitement to hatred and association to commit a crime. He is detained in Yare II.
6. Deivis Correa (July 31, 2024)
Journalist graduated from the Santa Rosa Catholic University. Located in El Helicoide, he was presented and accused of six crimes, including terrorism, incitement to hatred, criminal association and foreign association.
7. Roland Carreño (August 2, 2024)
Journalist and leader of Voluntad Popular. He was arrested for the second time after the presidential elections and is being held in El Rodeo I prison.
8. Víctor Ugas (August 18, 2024)
Arrested after a confrontation with an influencer. Charged with the crimes of inciting hatred and minor injuries. Transferred to Tocorón.
9. Ángel Godoy (January 8, 2025)
Editor of Cut Point and leader of the Democracy and Inclusion Movement. He was intercepted by hooded individuals. Detained in Yare III.
10. Julio Balza (January 9, 2025)
Photojournalist for María Corina Machado’s team. He was arrested when leaving an opposition rally. He is imprisoned in El Helicoide.
11 and 12. Leandro Palmar and Salvador Cubillán (January 9, 2025)
Journalist and cameraman arrested during protests in Maracaibo. They are charged with crimes of inciting hatred and disturbing public order. They are imprisoned in Tocorón.
13. Rory Branker (February 20, 2025)
Editor at The Patilla. Since his arrest, he has been forced to disappear twice. He is imprisoned in Tocorón.
14. Juan Francisco Alvarado (March 20, 2025)
Journalism student. Accused of inciting hatred for various publications on social networks. The family denounces procedural delays by the courts in Cojedes. They keep him deprived of liberty in a Portuguesa commando.
15 and 16. Nakary Ramos and Gianni González (April 8, 2025)
Journalist and cameraman Venezuela Impact. They are detained and undergoing trial. They are parents of a five-year-old girl. Charged with the crimes of instigating hatred and spreading false news.
17. Mario Chávez Cohen (May 6, 2025)
Journalist and activist. He was arrested in Valencia along with his mother, who was later released.
18. Juan Pablo Guanipa (May 23, 2025)
Social and political communicator. He has been missing since his arrest on May 23, 2025, two days before the regional and legislative elections.
19. Carlos Marcano (May 23, 2025)
Journalist and university professor. He was transferred from El Helicoide to the Tocorón prison days after his arrest.
20. Rafael García Márvez (July 22, 2025)
Journalist, president of the Carabobo State Columnists Association and columnist for The Carabobeño. He is 79 years old.
21. Carlos Lesma (October 9, 2025)
He is an announcer and director of the station Signal 94.9 in Nueva Esparta, as well as a sports photographer. He was charged with treason and inciting hatred. He is being held in the San Antonio Detention Center in Margarita.
22. Omario Castellanos (October 16, 2025)
He was deprived of liberty in Barquisimeto, along with his mother (Blanca Guerrero) and his brother (José Castellanos) and was transferred to the Yare III prison.
23. Yorbín García (October 18, 2025)
He was arrested in Isnotú, Trujillo state, and presented in court on charges of instigating hatred, treason and resistance to authority. He is being held in Yare III.
24. Nicmer Evans (December 13, 2025)
Sebin officials looked for him at his home, in Caracas, so that he could undergo an interrogation from which he did not return. He is deprived of liberty in El Helicoide.
The SNTP warns that these cases reflect a pattern of systematic persecution against independent journalism in Venezuela. Added to these arrests are censorship, the blocking of digital media, the closure of radio stations and judicial measures against communicators who investigate sensitive matters.
