At least 14 journalists detained during presidential inauguration in Venezuela

Mexico City, January 6, 2026—The Committee to Protect Journalists strongly condemns the detention of at least 14 journalists and media workers in Caracas during the inauguration ceremony of Delcy Rodríguez as president, and urges Venezuelan authorities to guarantee that journalists can report freely without intimidation, surveillance, or retaliation.

On January 5, 13 journalists and media workers affiliated with international media outlets and news agencies, and one working for a national outlet, were detained while covering the inauguration, according to information documented by Venezuela’s National Union of Press Workers. Thirteen of those detained were later released without being formally presented before judicial authorities, while one journalist was deported, the union reported.

While the identities of most of those detained have been withheld for security reasons, Venezuelan press freedom organization Espacio Público reported that the deported journalist is Stefano Pozzebon of CNN.

“These detentions are part of a broader pattern of intimidation aimed at obstructing independent coverage of events of public interest,” said Cristina Zahar, CPJ Latin America program coordinator. “Venezuelan authorities must immediately end practices that expose journalists to surveillance and arbitrary detention, and ensure that the press can work safely and without fear.”

The press workers’ union documented that, during the detentions, security officials searched journalistic equipment, forced journalists to unlock their mobile phones, and reviewed calls, messages, and activity on messaging platforms and social media.

The detentions occurred inside the National Assembly, in surrounding areas, and in the Altamira neighborhood of Caracas.

In a related incident, on January 4 — the day of the US military operation that plucked leader Nicolás Maduro from power and removed him from the country — officers from Venezuela’s intelligence police, SEBIN, detained two reporters for several hours while they were covering a security operation at the border between Colombia and Venezuela, according to Espacio Público. Luis Carlos Vélez, a journalist from the US spanish speaking outlet Univision Noticias, said on social media that officers checked their documents and mobile phones and deleted journalistic material before releasing them.

Journalists Nakary Mena Ramos, Gianni González and Rory Branker are currently imprisoned in Venezuela, according to CPJ.

CPJ sent emails requesting comment to Venezuela’s Interior Ministry and the presidency but did not receive an immediate response.