Venezuela restricts journalists' access to earthquake-hit La Guaira

Venezuela's government has temporarily barred journalists from entering the coastal state of La Guaira, an area devastated by a recent earthquake. The 48-hour suspension, effective June 29, 2026, was justified by officials as a "health recommendation" and a measure to ensure quiet for ongoing rescue operations.

A source close to the Ministry of Communication explained that the restriction is crucial for the vital 48 hours of rescue efforts. This move follows a government system implemented on June 24, 2026, which limited journalist access to disaster zones to 90 bus seats per day.

The National Union of Workers of the Press (SNTP) voiced its apprehension, arguing that blocking ground reporting does not address the emergency. The union emphasized that as the health situation could worsen, the country requires verified and timely information, particularly for the victims' families. Despite the limitations, some correspondents have managed to reach La Guaira independently to continue their coverage of the seismic event, the deadliest in Venezuela in a century. A similar earthquake in July 1967 near Caracas killed 245 people.