At least 14 media workers were detained on Monday while covering political events in Venezuela’s capital, Caracas, according to the country’s national press association.
The detentions occurred as journalists reported on a march backing ousted President Nicolas Maduro and the swearing in of Venezuela’s new legislature, the National Union of Press Workers said.
All 14 journalists were later released, the association said in a post on X, though it added that one of those detained was a foreign journalist who was subsequently deported.
The group said those held included 11 journalists working with international media organisations and one with a national outlet. Reuters said it was unable to independently confirm all of the detentions.
China’s foreign ministry said on Tuesday that all Chinese reporters in Venezuela were safe.
Venezuela’s information ministry, which manages government communications, did not immediately respond to requests for comment. The Ministry of Communications also did not respond.
The Associated Press, Agence France Presse and CNN did not immediately reply to enquiries. Reuters also did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
The detentions followed the US military operation over the weekend that led to Maduro’s arrest. On Monday, the former president pleaded not guilty to narcoterrorism charges in a New York court.
Following his detention, Vice President Delcy Rodriguez was sworn in as Venezuela’s interim leader.
Faridah Abdulkadiri
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