Venezuela Detains 14 Journalists Amid Political Unrest

Venezuela witnessed the temporary detention of 14 journalists on Monday while they were covering events in the capital, Caracas, including a pro-Maduro march and a legislative swearing-in ceremony, according to the Venezuelan Press Workers’ Union.

The union confirmed via X that all detained journalists were later released, though one foreign reporter was deported. Among those detained, 11 worked for international media outlets and one for a domestic news organisation. Independent verification of all arrests could not be obtained.

Requests for comment from the Venezuelan Ministry of Information and the Ministry of Communications, which handle government communications, were not immediately returned.

The arrests follow the reported capture of former President Nicolás Maduro by U.S. forces earlier this week. Maduro appeared in a New York court on Monday, denying charges of drug‑related terrorism. Vice President Delcy Rodríguez has assumed temporary presidential duties.

In response to Maduro’s capture, Venezuelan authorities issued an emergency decree instructing police units at federal, state, and local levels to search for individuals who allegedly supported the U.S. operation. The decree, which went into effect on Saturday and was fully published on Monday, also prompted a nationwide law enforcement campaign to track collaborators.

U.S. media reports suggest that American forces may have received on-the-ground assistance during the operation, allegedly from someone within Maduro’s inner circle who reportedly relayed his location continuously.

The detentions highlight growing tensions in Venezuela as international scrutiny intensifies amid the country’s ongoing political and humanitarian crises.

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