Venezuela: PEN International welcomes the release of Rory Branker

‘While we welcome Rory Branker’s release, he should never have been detained. His arbitrary detention exemplifies the misuse of the criminal justice system to punish independent journalism in Venezuela. We continue to call for the immediate release of all journalists who remain unjustly imprisoned in Venezuela’. Burhan Sonmez, President of PEN International. 

5 February 2026 – PEN International welcomes the release of Venezuelan journalist Rory Branker on 4 February 2026, after being subjected to arbitrary detention for almost a year. While his release is a positive step, Rory Branker should never have been detained in retaliation for his journalistic work. 

Rory Branker, a Venezuelan journalist, columnist and editor at the digital outlet La Patilla, was detained on 20 February 2025 in Caracas, Venezuela. After being temporarily held at the infamous El Helicoide detention centre and other locations, he was then transferred to the Tocorón Penitentiary Centre in Aragua state, where he remained until his release. The authorities attempted to justify his arbitrary detention by reportedly accusing him of ‘treason’, ‘financing of terrorism’ and ‘conspiracy’, criminal offences carrying sentences of up to 30 years in prison. 

Branker’s arbitrary detention was marked by enforced disappearance, transfers without notification, prolonged incommunicado detention, procedural opacity and the absence of full guarantees of legal defence.  

PEN International has actively campaigned for Rory Branker’s release, including through the global Day of the Imprisoned Writer campaign, which has received active support from PEN Centres around the world in drawing attention to his arbitrary detention as an act of retaliation for his journalistic work. 

Branker’s release comes amid announcements by Venezuelan authorities of the planned closure of El Helicoide detention centre and a proposed general Amnesty Law, which is currently under legislative discussion. While PEN International welcomes these announcements, it maintains that any amnesty measure must result in full, unconditional freedoms for those persecuted for their peaceful expression, and that authorities must bring a definitive end to further misuse of the legal system against those exercising their right to freedom of expression, artistic freedom and the full enjoyment of cultural rights. Any plan to restore the rights of those who have been persecuted for exercising their right to freedom of expression must not be used as a means to shield those responsible for rights violations, including state officials, from accountability. 

Following Rory Branker’s release, PEN International calls for the full restoration of all his rights, the cessation of any ongoing proceedings or restrictions against him, and effective guarantees enabling him to practise journalism without fear of reprisal. The organisation also reiterates its call on the Venezuelan authorities to end the systematic harassment of journalists and to ensure they can work safely and freely, particularly in the context of the country’s political transition. 

PEN International will continue to monitor and raise awareness of the situation in Venezuela and call for the immediate and unconditional release of all journalists and communicators arbitrarily detained in the country. 

For more information, please contact Alicia Quiñones, Head of the Americas Region, at PEN International: [email protected]   

 For media queries, please contact  Sabrina Tucci, Head of Communications and Campaigns at PEN International: [email protected]