Venezuela: Five Journalists Freed, RSF Calls for Continued Release of Rory Branker

January 15, 2026 – Venezuela –

Reporters Without Borders (RSF) has welcomed the release of five Venezuelan journalists who were imprisoned for their reporting, part of a broader announcement by authorities on January 14, 2026, to free several political detainees.

The reporters freed include Luis López (La Verdad); Leandro Palmar and Belices Salvador Cubillán (LUZ Radio); and Nakary Mena Ramos and Gianni González (portal Impacto Venezuela), who were detained between 2024 and 2025 in connection with their work.

While RSF described the releases as a positive step, the organization stressed that clear information on their legal status is still lacking, with no official confirmation on whether charges against them have been dropped or if they remain subject to judicial restrictions.

RSF also reiterated urgent concerns about the continued detention of journalist Rory Branker (La Patilla), who has been held since February 2025 and was forcibly moved to a prison in Tocorón, Aragua State, in December 2025 without a public explanation of his situation.

RSF emphasized that transparency and due process are essential to protect press freedom in Venezuela, urging authorities to provide verifiable details on the freed journalists’ cases and to immediately release Branker. The organization noted that press freedom remains heavily constrained in the country, with ongoing obstacles for local reporters and restrictions on foreign media access.

Reference –

https://rsf.org/en/venezuela-five-journalists-freed-urgent-calls-rory-branker-s-release