The Inter -American Press Society (SIP) He released a warning about the serious situation of freedom of expression in Venezuela. In its most recent index, prepared from the evaluation of media directors, journalists, academics and social leaders from 22 countries, the agency placed Venezuela together with Cuba and Nicaragua in the nations category “without freedom of expression.”
The report stressed that Venezuela registered a 6.23 points drop, the largest negative difference between the three countries indicated. It is an adverse scenario both inside and outside the territory. “I left Venezuela because I couldn’t take all injustices more to shut up,” said Juan Pérez, former Mercal Network, in an interview with El Nacional. As he said, he was forced to participate in acts of support to the regime, “or not agreed”, in exchange for a salary of just 130 bolivars.
“That situation did not allow me to hold my family and led me to make the decision to leave. I thought it would be free, but it was not so. My relatives are still at risk, kidnapped and without freedom of expression. Although I am far away, I must keep silent to protect them. So you do not live in full,” he added. Pérez warned that even expressing himself against the regime in WhatsApp groups can lead to arbitrary arrests.
According to their testimony, family and friends have been victims of cell phones in alcabalas and control points. “If they find a photo of María Corina Machado or President Edmundo, the interrogation, extortion or even arbitrary detention begins,” pointed out.
Fear intensified after the case of Merlys Oropeza, arrested on August 9, 2024 for publishing in his WhatsApp states A critical comment against a CLAP representative. It was sentenced to ten years in prison, a fact that generated shock and that, according to the source, “frightens everyone, because it shows how far the repression can go.”
The persecution has led to many citizens to choose to express themselves anonymously. Recently, human rights organizations linked to Vente Venezuela They spread a campaign clandestine who rejected the kidnapping of Dr. Luis Torres and his wife, Bioanalist Elizabeth Rodríguez, in the Trujillo state. In the video, the participants expressed their discontent without showing the face, as a measure of protection against the repressive system.
In this context, some testimonies coincide in pointing out censorship as the main obstacle. “The greatest obstacle is censorship; digital blockages, persecution and restrictive laws that seek to silence voices. Many journalists fear for their physical integrity and today until that of their relatives”explained Arantxa Barazare, a graduate in Social Communication.
He added that the independent media resist “migrating to the digital, using networks and alternatives in communication apps, always trying to keep citizens informed by some means.”
Barazarte also warned that exercising the trade implies additional risks: “In addition to political repression, journalists face low wages, self -censorship and personal risk. There are those who create alternate or anonymous profiles to exercise under the risks or fears that exist towards the country’s political positions. ”
Despite this atmosphere of control, hope of change persists. Professional professionals continue raising the voice, even when it implies risking their life and that of their families. The situation has also aroused pronouncements of professional guilds. The Inter -American Psychology Society, together with the Federation of Psychologists of Venezuela, spread a statement in which it defended fundamental democratic rights.
“We recognize the effort of the Venezuelan people for participating in the elections of July 28, 2024, which reflect their desire to contribute to a more just and equitable society. The current situation has a significant impact on the psychological and emotional well -being of the population. We are deeply worried about the reported violence, which seriously affects health, ”said the document.
Denunciations have also raised from the opposition. María Corina Machado criticized in his X account Inhuman conditions in the Tocorón prison: “The mental health of many prisoners deteriorates due to the degrading treatment of those who are victims: food is scarce, rotten and full of worms; visits are increasingly short; telephone calls to relatives were reduced and the possibilities of cleaning are almost null.”
The president -elect Edmundo González, meanwhile, directed An open letter to the democratic governments of the world in which he denounced systematic repression in Venezuela. His message coincided with the latest report by the National Union of Press Workers, which reported that 20 journalists and media workers remain detained in the country.
Article written by Rosangel Mendoza For the National
