Venezuelan Press Union Denounces Restrictions During Opposition-Government Dialogue

Venezuela's National Union of Press Workers (SNTP) has formally protested restrictions imposed on journalists covering the recent dialogue between the government and a faction of the opposition in Caracas. The union reported that reporters were denied access to the initial in-person meeting on Thursday, even though they had been previously summoned.

Adding to the concerns, the SNTP detailed an incident of aggression and intimidation against journalist Deisy Martínez. Near the dialogue venue at the La Carlota air base, Martínez was reportedly approached by several unidentified men on motorcycles, allegedly armed. They demanded her phone, reviewed its contents, deleted images she had captured, and took photographs of her press credentials. The union stated that the men discussed transferring her to military intelligence before ultimately being ordered to let her go.

The opposition delegation, which includes former members of the 2015 National Assembly and is led by Dinorah Figuera, has reportedly rejected the actions against the press and expressed solidarity with the SNTP. The union reiterated its call for transparency and unimpeded access for journalists to all activities related to the dialogue process. They also submitted a document outlining proposals aimed at restoring guarantees for freedom of expression, the right to information, and press freedom in the country.

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From the SNTP, we insist on the need to guarantee transparency and timely, free, and non-discriminatory access for journalists and media to activities linked to the dialogue process.