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January 16, 2025 – Venezuela –
Venezuelan authorities released prominent free speech advocate Carlos Correa, director of the NGO Espacio Público, after nine days in detention. His arrest on January 7 occurred during a wave of crackdowns targeting activists, journalists, and opposition figures ahead of President Nicolás Maduro’s inauguration for a third term on January 10.
Correa, a university professor and leading figure in the defense of press freedom in Venezuela, was taken by hooded security agents without a warrant. His family and colleagues were left without information on his whereabouts for days, prompting widespread alarm from civil society and international human rights groups. The United Nations, Amnesty International, and several press freedom organizations condemned the detention, demanding transparency and his immediate release.
Upon his release, Correa was placed under judicial supervision, which includes regular court appearances and a travel ban. Though official charges remain unclear, reports indicate that he was presented before an anti-terrorism court. The lack of due process and the secrecy surrounding his detention sparked renewed concerns over the Venezuelan government’s use of arbitrary arrests to silence dissent.
His organization, Espacio Público, which has long documented censorship and attacks on press freedom in Venezuela, issued a statement welcoming Correa’s release but warned that judicial restrictions effectively continue to silence him. Over the past two decades, more than 400 media outlets have been closed in Venezuela, and the environment for journalists remains extremely hostile.
Human rights defenders say Correa’s arrest fits a broader pattern of repression, particularly around politically sensitive periods. His detention was part of a coordinated effort to suppress criticism and discourage public scrutiny during Maduro’s controversial swearing-in.
Carlos Correa’s release offers brief relief but highlights the Venezuelan government’s continued crackdown on civil liberties. With judicial restrictions still in place and many other activists behind bars, the international community and domestic advocates must remain vigilant. Correa’s case underscores the urgent need to protect those defending press freedom and human rights in increasingly repressive environments.
Reference –
https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20250116-venezuela-releases-detained-free-speech-advocate
