Venezuela Detains Journalists Amid Political Upheaval Following Maduro’s Capture

January 07, 2026 – USA/Venezuela – 

Venezuelan authorities detained at least 14 journalists and media workers in Caracas on January 5, 2026, as the country grappled with political turmoil following the capture of President Nicolás Maduro by U.S. forces. The detentions occurred while reporters were covering the swearing-in of interim president Delcy Rodríguez and related political events at the National Assembly, reflecting renewed pressure on the press during a volatile moment in Venezuela’s governance and media landscape.

The National Union of Press Workers (SNTP) reported that 13 of those detained were affiliated with international media outlets, with one journalist working for a national outlet. Most were released later the same day, though one foreign journalist was deported, while another individual remained in custody beyond the initial releases, according to union statements and news agency reporting. During the detentions, officials reportedly searched equipment and mobile phones, examining communications, messages, and stored material before releasing the detained journalists.

The arrests unfolded against the backdrop of a dramatic shift in Venezuelan politics after a U.S. military operation in early January removed Maduro from power and transported him to the United States to face narco-terrorism charges, where he later pleaded not guilty in a New York federal court. Interim leader Delcy Rodríguez, Maduro’s former vice-president, assumed control amid heightened tensions and issued emergency measures that expanded state authority over public expression and movement.

Press freedom organisations, including the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), condemned the detentions as part of an ongoing pattern of intimidation and repression against independent reporting in Venezuela. CPJ documented that many of the journalists detained during the January 5 events were held without formal judicial proceedings, and highlighted reports that Venezuelan intelligence forces have also detained reporters at the border with Colombia and confiscated or erased some journalistic material. The organisation emphasised the need for authorities to ensure media professionals can operate without fear of detention or retaliation.

The incidents highlight continued risks to press freedom in Venezuela, where journalists have faced arrests, deportations, and restrictions for years, particularly around major political events. Before these latest detentions, Venezuela’s journalists endured significant repression during recent election cycles and protests, with multiple press workers detained, equipment seized, and media outlets silenced through legal and extralegal means.

Reference –

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cd6w4y0eq70o

https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2026/01/06/venezulea-maduro-rodriguez-government-repression/

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/jan/06/venezuela-detains-journalists-after-nicolas-maduros-captured