IPYS Venezuela warns that 15 journalists remain imprisoned in the country, most of them detained during and after the 2024 presidential elections and in the first months of 2025. The organization denounces a pattern of arbitrary arrests, enforced disappearances, and judicial processes that violate due process, reflecting the deepening repression against independent media. Free Media Foundation calls for their immediate release and the restoration of press freedom in Venezuela.
The Venezuelan chapter of the Press and Society Institute (IPYSve) has reported that 15 journalists remain behind bars in the country. Nine of these arrests occurred in 2025, five in 2024, and one dates back to 2022. The organization warns that arbitrary detentions have become a systematic tool of repression, especially during and after the presidential elections of July 28, 2024.
View this post on Instagram
On May 23, 2025, journalist and university professor Carlos Marcano was arbitrarily detained at his home by security forces without a warrant. His family reported that his whereabouts were unknown for several days before he was located in a police facility, only to be transferred again without notification.
On April 10, 2025, reporter Nakary Ramos from Impacto Venezuela and her husband Gianni González, a cameraman, were imprisoned on charges of “incitement to hatred” and “spreading false news,” shortly after publishing a report on rising crime in Caracas.
On February 20, 2025, journalist Rory Branker of La Patilla was detained by intelligence agents. His family and NGOs have since denounced his case as an enforced disappearance, as authorities have failed to provide information on his condition or location.
Releases Without Full Guarantees
Between November and December 2024, several journalists detained in the post-election crackdown were released, including Gilberto Reina, Deysi Peña, Ana Carolina Guaita, Fernando Chuecos, Yousnel Alvarado, and Paúl León. However, many of them still face ongoing legal proceedings and restrictions.
More recently, on July 21, 2025, journalist José Gregorio Camero was freed after nearly one year in prison, according to the National Union of Press Workers (SNTP).
A Pattern of Harassment
IPYSve highlights a recurring pattern: arrests without warrants, opaque transfers, televised or virtual hearings that limit defense rights, and denial of private legal representation. Many cases are prosecuted under terrorism or conspiracy laws, seriously undermining due process and further endangering journalists’ lives and integrity.
A Shrinking Space for Press Freedom
Beyond the detentions, independent journalism in Venezuela continues to face severe challenges: digital media blockages, censorship, judicial harassment, and the criminalization of reporting through charges such as “terrorism” or “instigation to hatred.”
The arbitrary imprisonment of journalists in Venezuela is a direct attack on press freedom and an attempt to silence voices denouncing injustice and abuse of power. Free Media Foundation urges Venezuelan authorities to immediately release all detained journalists, guarantee due process, and restore minimum conditions for the free exercise of journalism.
For the last time, I don\’t like lilacs! Your \’first\’ wife was the one who liked lilacs! Goodbye, cruel world. Goodbye, cruel lamp. Goodbye, cruel velvet drapes, lined with what would appear to be some sort of cruel muslin and the cute little pom-pom curtain pull cords. Cruel though they may be…
Who are those horrible orange men? Yeah, and if you were the pope they\’d be all, \”Straighten your pope hat.\” And \”Put on your good vestments.\” Man, I\’m sore all over. I feel like I just went ten rounds with mighty Thor.