At an April 15 press conference, Venezuela's National College of Journalists warned that journalism has become a high-risk profession and that authorities have turned journalists into “political targets,” according to the outlet Efecto Cocuyo.
The college said persecution and repression of journalists have intensified since the presidential elections last July. This year, the organization has recorded 54 attacks, including intimidation, threats, restrictions on coverage, station closures and theft.
The group also said 13 journalists are in detention, and called for their immediate release. One of the most recent cases is that of Nakary Ramos and her husband Gianni González, from the digital outlet Impacto Venezuela, who were accused of “inciting hatred and spreading false information” after reporting on crime statistics. Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello had publicly criticized their coverage.
Other imprisoned journalists include Carlos Julio Rojas, who marked one year behind bars on April 15, and Luis López, who was detained last June and was recently transferred to another prison without notifying his family or lawyers.
