SNTP Calls for Judicial Reform to End Persecution of the Press in Venezuela

Venezuela's National Union of Press Workers (SNTP) is calling for an eventual judicial reform to halt the ongoing persecution of journalists and media workers through legal processes. The union emphasizes that any changes to the justice system must serve to reinstate fundamental guarantees, bolster judicial independence, and ensure due process for all.

According to the SNTP, as of January 2026, a significant number of media professionals faced severe repercussions for their work. Specifically, 40 journalists and press workers were either imprisoned or undergoing judicial proceedings. An additional number were forced into exile due to open cases against them, highlighting the perilous environment for reporting in the country.

“

For the SNTP, any reform must translate into independent justice, guarantees of respect for due process, protection and real capacity to investigate and sanction violations against journalists and media.

The union's statement was issued following recent announcements of agreements between the Venezuelan government and the National Assembly elected in 2015. Representatives from both bodies concluded a cycle of closed-door discussions in Caracas, aiming to address key issues within the country's governance and legal framework.

Among the agreed-upon measures is the push to renew all judges of the Supreme Tribunal of Justice (TSJ) and to enhance support in areas affected by a recent earthquake. The SNTP insists that any judicial reform must translate into tangible actions: an independent judiciary, respect for due process, and a genuine capacity to investigate and penalize violations against journalists and media outlets. The union stressed that reforms should offer protection against arbitrary decisions and help combat impunity.

“

A reform of the justice system is necessary to recover fundamental guarantees, strengthen judicial independence and ensure due process.