The National College of Journalists (CNP) reported on Saturday night the transfer of journalist Víctor Ugas to Yare III prison, located in Miranda state.
«Currently, Victor Ugas has been transferred to Yare III prison. We remind you that he was arrested on August 18 due to an altercation with TikToker Emmanuel Marcano in a nightclub,” the CNP stated on the X platform.
Ugas was brought before the courts in Caracas following the confrontation with the Chavista influencer. The CNP has called for respect for due process and an impartial investigation.
This is not the first occasion that Ugas has been detained by agents of Nicolás Maduro’s government, and he is not the only journalist arrested following the presidential elections. On December 20, 2019, he was detained along with then-deputy Gilber Caro in El Paraíso, where he was serving as an assistant at the National Assembly.
#23Agos 9:00 pm #AEstaHora Victor Ugas has been transferred @victorugas_ to Yare III prison. We remember that he was arrested last #18Agos due to a confrontation with TikToker Emmanuel Marcano in a nightclub.
— CNP Caracas (@CNPCaracas) August 25, 2024
#19Agos Journalist Victor Ugas was arrested and taken before the courts in Caracas @victorugas_ following a confrontation with TikToker Emmanuel Marcano. We demand that due process is respected and an impartial investigation into the incident is conducted. We will remain vigilant.
— CNP Caracas (@CNPCaracas) August 19, 2024
Arrest of Journalists
The National Union of Press Workers has reported the arrests of six journalists following the presidential elections on July 28, which triggered a political crisis in the country, according to comments made to EFE on Wednesday by the organization’s Secretary General, Marco Ruiz.
One of the most recent cases, he explained, involves journalist Ana Carolina Guaita, a digital media worker for The Watermelon, who was arrested on Tuesday afternoon near her home in the state of La Guaira, close to Caracas.
Additionally, the CNP announced on Sunday the arrest of entertainment journalist Carmela Longo along with her minor son in Caracas, which occurred just days after she was dismissed from Últimas Noticias, where she had worked for the past two decades.
As of August 22, the NGO Criminal Forum has recorded 1,674 arbitrary arrests in the context of the post-election situation, with 107 of those being adolescents.
Independent journalism requires the support of its readers to continue and ensure that uncomfortable news, which is often suppressed, remains accessible to you. Today, with your support, we will continue working diligently for censorship-free journalism!
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Photo: Archive
The National College of Journalists (CNP) denounced on Saturday night the transfer of journalist Víctor Ugas to the Yare III prison, located in Miranda state.
«At this time, Victor Ugas is transferred to the Yare III prison. We recall that he was arrested on August 18 for a confrontation with TikToker Emmanuel Marcano in a nightclub,” the CNP posted on the X platform.
Ugas was brought before the Caracas courts due to the confrontation with the Chavista influencer. The CNP had demanded respect for due process and an impartial investigation.
This is not the first time that Ugas has been detained by agents of Nicolás Maduro’s government, and he is not the only journalist arrested after the presidential elections. On December 20, 2019, he was arrested along with then-deputy Gilber Caro in El Paraíso. At that time, Ugas was an assistant at the National Assembly.
#23Agos 9:00 pm #AEstaHora Victor Ugas is transferred @victorugas_ to Yare III prison. We remember that he was arrested last #18Agos for a confrontation with TikToker Emmanuel Marcano in a nightclub.
— CNP Caracas (@CNPCaracas) August 25, 2024
#19Agos Journalist Victor Ugas was arrested and brought before the Caracas courts @victorugas_ for a confrontation with TikToker Emmanuel Marcano. We demand that due process be respected and that an impartial investigation be carried out into the incident. We will be attentive.
— CNP Caracas (@CNPCaracas) August 19, 2024
Arrest of Journalists in Venezuela
The National Union of Press Workers has recorded the arrests of six journalists following the presidential elections on July 28, which sparked a political crisis in the country, it reported to EFE this Wednesday the secretary general of the organization, Marco Ruiz.
One of the most recent cases – he explained – is that of the journalist Ana Carolina Guaita, a digital media worker for The Watermelon who was arrested on Tuesday afternoon near her residence in the state of La Guaira, close to Caracas.
In addition, this Sunday the CNP denounced the arrest of entertainment journalist Carmela Longo along with her minor son in Caracas. This occurred days after the journalist was fired from Últimas Noticias, where she had worked for the last two decades.
Until August 22, the NGO Criminal Forum reported that 1,674 arbitrary arrests had been recorded in the context of the post-election situation. Of this total, 107 were adolescents.
Overview of Recent Arrests
| Date | Name | Affiliation | Situation |
|---|---|---|---|
| August 18, 2024 | Víctor Ugas | Independent Journalist | Transferred to Yare III prison |
| August 22, 2024 | Ana Carolina Guaita | The Watermelon | Arrested near residence |
| August 25, 2024 | Carmela Longo | Últimas Noticias | Arrested with minor son |
Importance of Protecting Journalistic Freedom
The ongoing arrests of journalists in Venezuela highlight the urgent need for the international community to intervene and ensure the protection of press freedoms. Independent journalism plays a critical role in keeping society informed and holding authorities accountable. Sadly, censorship and state repression continue to threaten journalists striving to report the truth.
What Can You Do to Support Independent Journalism?
- Follow independent media outlets: Stay informed by accessing news from various independent sources.
- Spread the word: Share articles and reports from journalists facing repression to raise awareness.
- Participate in campaigns: Join or support initiatives aiming to protect journalists and advocate for press freedom.
First-Hand Experiences of Journalists
Many journalists in Venezuela risk their lives daily to inform the public, sharing their stories of struggles and triumphs in an atmosphere fraught with danger. The experiences of those who have faced censorship serve as powerful reminders of the importance of press freedom in any democratic society.
A Call for Justice
As long as arbitrary arrests and human rights violations occur, it is crucial for global citizens to stand in solidarity with those fighting for free expression. Justice must be pursued to ensure the safety and rights of journalists like Víctor Ugas and many others in Venezuela.
Independent journalism needs the support of its readers to continue and ensure that uncomfortable news that they don’t want you to read remains within your reach. Today, with your support, we will continue working hard for censorship-free journalism!
Support El Nacional
