Venezuela Detains 14 Foreign Journalists Amid Political Turmoil Following Maduro's Seizure

Venezuelan security forces detained at least 14 journalists on Monday as they covered the political aftermath of former leader Nicolás Maduro's seizure by US forces, highlighting the intensifying crackdown on press freedom in the crisis-hit South American nation.

The detentions occurred on the same day Delcy Rodríguez was sworn in as interim president, marking a dramatic shift in Venezuela's leadership following Maduro's capture in a pre-dawn raid by American forces.

The union representing media workers in Venezuela reported that all but one of the detained journalists worked for foreign news organizations. Most were released later on Monday, though one reporter was deported from the country.

The media workers were detained at multiple locations in the capital, Caracas, including the National Assembly, its surrounding areas, and the Altamira neighborhood. Two additional journalists—one Colombian and one Spanish—were detained at Venezuela's border with Colombia near Cúcuta.

At least two journalists were seized by agents from Venezuela's military counterintelligence agency, while others were detained by the country's intelligence service.

According to the union statement, detained journalists had their equipment searched, phones checked, and social media posts and messages reviewed by authorities. The two reporters held at the border were kept incommunicado for hours before being released back into Colombia.

The union described the incidents as "alarming" and called for the release of 23 media workers who remain in detention throughout the country.

Foreign news media have historically faced significant restrictions in Venezuela, with very few international outlets granted work visas. The Monday detentions underscore the challenges journalists face when attempting to report on events inside the country.

The crackdown on media workers represents just one dimension of broader repression affecting Venezuelan society.

Residents of Caracas described an atmosphere of intense surveillance and intimidation following Maduro's seizure.

A community leader in the Petare neighborhood told BBC Mundo that "hooded men with guns" were "patrolling, checking people's WhatsApp statuses."

José, a 60-year-old Caracas resident, said people could not speak freely about current events due to heavy police and military presence on the streets, alongside pro-Maduro armed groups known as "colectivos" wearing masks.

A 33-year-old masseuse, who requested anonymity, said there was "so much fear in the streets and in our homes."

One woman reported that "military people on every corner and groups of armed civilians supporting the government" were "causing fear among the population."

Another anonymous source told the BBC that "the regime is not allowing news to come out of here," adding that "there are uniformed personnel on the streets stopping people and checking their phones."

Members of the new Venezuelan government appeared intent on displaying security force visibility throughout communities.

Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello posted a photo on social media Monday night showing himself posing with armed police, a clear signal of the government's security posture during the transition period.

The detentions occurred shortly after Rodríguez was sworn in as interim president. In her inaugural statements, she indicated willingness to cooperate with the Trump administration, which has stated it would "run" Venezuela—though the exact nature of this arrangement remains unclear.

This represents a significant shift from the Maduro era, when relations between Venezuela and the United States were deeply antagonistic.

Just days before the journalist detentions, Maduro and his wife were seized by US forces in a pre-dawn raid that resulted in dozens of his bodyguards and security personnel being killed.

While the seizure prompted celebrations among Venezuelans who oppose Maduro—particularly those who have fled the country—there were no public displays of joy inside Venezuela itself, reflecting the climate of fear that has long characterized political expression in the country.

Opposition Venezuelans have consistently denounced the repression they face when speaking out against the government.

More than 2,000 people were arrested during protests following the 2024 presidential election. The government-dominated electoral council declared Maduro the winner, but voting tallies collected by the opposition and verified by independent media suggested the opposition candidate had actually won.

In the crackdown following that election, security forces checked people's phones for messages critical of Maduro, prompting many Venezuelans to erase their social media accounts and message histories.

Many arrested individuals were sentenced to lengthy prison terms after being convicted of "treason." According to pressure group Foro Penal, more than 800 political prisoners were being held in Venezuela as of January 5.

The detention of foreign journalists raises serious questions about press freedom during Venezuela's political transition. International media organizations have historically struggled to operate in Venezuela, and Monday's events suggest those restrictions may continue or intensify.

The targeting of foreign correspondents is particularly concerning, as it limits the flow of independent information about developments inside the country to the outside world.

For Ghana and other African nations, Venezuela's situation offers sobering lessons about democratic backsliding and the suppression of press freedom during political transitions.

The use of security forces to intimidate journalists and check citizens' phones for critical content mirrors tactics employed by authoritarian governments worldwide, including in some African nations facing democratic challenges.

The willingness of citizens to speak anonymously to international media despite personal risk also reflects patterns seen in countries where freedom of expression is curtailed.

The international community will likely watch closely to see whether press freedom improves under Rodríguez's interim leadership or whether the crackdown intensifies.

Rodríguez's stated willingness to cooperate with the Trump administration may influence how foreign journalists are treated, particularly those from American media outlets.

The fate of the 23 media workers who remain in detention will serve as an important indicator of the new government's approach to press freedom.

For now, both foreign journalists and ordinary Venezuelans navigate an environment of heightened surveillance and fear, uncertain about what the post-Maduro era will bring.