Spanish journalist Cake Minuesa deported after several hours of detention in Venezuela

• According to the media outlet La Gaceta, the reporter was reportedly arrested by several DGCIM officials | Photo: Ok Diary

Venezuelan authorities deported Spanish journalist José Ramón Minuesa, known as Cake Minuesa, on the morning of Monday, July 29, after several hours of detention. The reporter from Okay Dario y The Gazette had been arrested at approximately 3:00 a.m. the same day.

The Spanish political parties, the Popular Party (PP) and VOX, earlier spoke out about the arrest of the 53-year-old reporter and demanded his immediate release.

For his part, Santiago Abascal, leader of VOX, sent a public letter addressed to the Spanish Minister of Foreign Affairs, José Manuel Albares, in which he asks the Spanish government to consider “more severe” diplomatic measures against Venezuela.

In accordance with The GazetteMinuesa was intercepted by several DGCIM officials as he was leaving the hotel where he was staying in Venezuela. The arrest reportedly occurred around 3:40 am (Venezuela time).

The SNTP warned about the threats that Minuesa received

The National Union of Press Workers (SNTP) of Venezuela also denounced Minuesa’s arrest on July 29. It also warned that the reporter had allegedly received threats and that he expressed fear of what could happen to him in the country.

“Faced with these threats, the only thing I can say is that I am afraid. It is true, I will confront him, because my job is to show the truth without makeup,” Minuesa said in a video.

The SNTP published the reporter’s testimony in an X thread, in which he spoke about the alleged threats he received after publishing an interview with Víctor González, former VOX deputy.

The organization demanded the prompt release of the Spanish reporter and that the relevant arrangements be made with the representatives of Spanish diplomacy in Caracas. The union also described the journalist’s detention as arbitrary.

Obstacles to covering the presidential elections

During the election day of July 28, the SNTP reported several incidents in which the work of journalists was impeded and obstructed.

In some cases, Plan República officials prevented accredited journalists from entering polling stations. Several reporters reported that, although they were allowed into the polling stations, they were not allowed to film or take photos inside.

There were also reports of temporary detentions, confiscation of equipment, and intimidation or harassment by military officials, members of political parties, or polling station coordinators.

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