Venezuela: Following the release of five journalists, imprisoned journalist Rory Branker must also be freed
Image credit: La Patilla
‘The arbitrary detention of writers and journalists solely for doing their jobs is a grave injustice and a direct assault on the public’s right to know. While we welcome the release of five journalists, their detention should never have occurred. The authorities in Venezuela must end their criminalisation of free expression and immediately free all those who remain detained for speaking truthfully and peacefully.’ Ma Thida, Chair of PEN International’s Writers in Prison Committee.
15 January 2025.- PEN International welcomes the release on 14 January 2026 of five journalists in Venezuela who were unjustly detained for carrying out their journalistic work. Their release marks a positive step, but it does not undo the harm caused by their arbitrary detention or address the broader deterioration of Venezuela’s freedom of expression environment resulting from decades of repression.
The journalists released are Luis López (La Verdad), Leandro Palmar (LUZ Radio), Belices Salvador Cubillán (LUZ Radio), Nakary Mena Ramos (Impacto Venezuela), and Gianni González (Impacto Venezuela), who were detained between 2024 and 2025.
Following their release, there has been no clear public confirmation that the charges against them have been dropped, or that they no longer face judicial proceedings, or other restrictions, which is indicative of the arbitrary nature of their detention. We remain deeply concerned about Venezuelan journalist, editor and columnist Rory Branker, who has been arbitrarily detained since February 2025.
More broadly, PEN International condemns the ongoing repression in public spaces, including the harassment of journalists, writers, and artists, who remain at risk of detention and seizure of their personal devices, which could then be subject to searches for political content. These concerns are further heightened by the publication of Decree No. 5.200, on 3 January 2026, which imposes severe restrictions on the right to freedom of expression, including access to information.
Although framed in terms of ‘security’ and ‘defence’, the decree authorises the pursuit and detention of individuals accused of vaguely defined ‘promotion or support’ of recent events, creating a serious risk of persecution for anyone engaged in journalistic reporting, analysis, or critical commentary. In doing so, this decree will further deteriorate Venezuela’s freedom of expression environment, fuelling surveillance, intimidation, and widespread self-censorship.
PEN International calls on the Venezuelan authorities to immediately and unconditionally release all journalists, writers, and artists detained for exercising their right to freedom of expression; drop all charges and lift any restrictions against those already released; end the repression, harassment, and intimidation of journalists, communicators, and artists, including in the streets and online; and to uphold its international obligations regarding freedom of expression.
Note to editors:
For further information, please contact Alicia Quiñones, Head of the Americas Region at PEN International: [email protected].
For media enquiries, please contact Sabrina Tucci, Head of Communications and Campaigns at PEN International: [email protected].