Venezuela: Exiled Journalist Sebastiana Barráez Yet Again Targeted - Women Press Freedom Calls for Action
Public Ministry Accuses Sebastiana Barráez in Corruption Scandal
Location: Venezuela, Caracas
Date: May 14, 2024
Women Press Freedom expresses unwavering solidarity with exiled journalist Sebastiana Barráez, who faces renewed accusations from the Attorney General of the Republic, Tarek William Saab. The allegations, linked to an alleged corruption scheme within the oil industry, referred to as "PDVSA-Cripto," once again thrust Barráez into the legal spotlight. The accusations involve her purported participation in an "extortionate media structure" supposedly overseen by former Minister of Petroleum, Tareck El Aissami. Previously, Barráez faced legal actions related to an operation named "White Bracelet," targeting high-ranking government officials. Women Press Freedom condemns the relentless targeting and threats against Sebastiana Barráez and calls for a thorough investigation into these claims, demanding accountability for those responsible for intimidating the journalist. We urge authorities to protect journalists' rights to perform their duties without fear of reprisal.
WPF strongly condemns the ongoing legal proceedings against Gözde Bedeloğlu, a journalist for BirGün, who is currently facing charges of "insulting a public official" in Istanbul, Turkiye, filed by a Nationalist Movement Party politician.
During the ongoing Israel/Palestine conflict, the fundamental principles of press freedom have come under dire threat.
WPF welcomes the judgment of the Fair Work Commission that found that broadcaster Antoinette Lattouf was fired by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) following a social media post by Lattouf sharing a Human Rights Watch claim about Israel's actions in Gaza.
Attorney General Saab has implicated Sebastiana Barráez, alongside Armando.info journalists Roberto Deniz and Ewald Scharfenberg, in a parallel payroll within Petróleos de Venezuela, SA (PDVSA). They are accused of orchestrating "discredit campaigns against the legitimately constituted authorities of Venezuela," allegedly involving other social communicators and content creators. These claims stem from information provided by businessman Samark López, associated with El Aissami and detained on corruption charges. The accusations signal a critical development in the investigations into corruption within the oil industry.
This is not the first instance of legal scrutiny for Barráez. Earlier, the Public Ministry issued arrest warrants against her and others in connection with "White Bracelet," an operation purportedly aimed at high-profile government officials.
The recent accusations have triggered a wave of online harassment and misinformation campaigns against Barráez, further highlighting the challenges faced by journalists in Venezuela. The sustained attacks on Barráez and other media professionals underscore the broader issues surrounding freedom of the press and the independent media landscape in the country.
Women Press Freedom documented the issuance of arrest warrants for Barráez on January 22, 2024, following the announcement by the Attorney General's Office regarding the detention of 31 civilians and soldiers. These arrests were connected to alleged plots against the Maduro-led government that were reportedly thwarted between May 2023 and the beginning of 2024. Barráez, who has been targeted by the Venezuelan dictatorship for an extended period, now lives in exile in a European country with her daughter for safety concerns.
Women Press Freedom stands firmly in support of Sebastiana Barráez. As events continue to develop, Barráez's situation serves as a poignant reminder of the dangers confronting journalists in politically charged settings. The persistent harassment and coercion faced by journalists such as Barráez raise significant concerns about the status of press freedom and democratic principles in Venezuela. We vehemently condemn the ongoing harassment of Barráez designed to stifle her voice and obstruct her journalistic endeavors. We call upon the international community to closely monitor the situation, advocate for an end to the unjust targeting of journalists, and show solidarity with journalists like Barráez enduring persecution in Venezuela.
Journalist Ana Carolina Guaita was detained by suspected intelligence agents (SEBIN) from outside her home, with the reasons for her detention and her current whereabouts remaining unknown.
Photojournalist Deysi Peña and reporter Dayana Krays detained by police while covering post-electoral protests.
WPF firmly condemns the hostile environment and aggressive actions perpetrated by Maduro’s government and local officials during Venezuela’s presidential election on July 28, 2024.
WPF condemns assaults and restrictions imposed on journalists Ariana Ágreda, Andrea Fabbiani, Víctor Federico González, José Luis Guerra, and camerawoman María Marcano. We demand relevant authorities investigate these attacks, which endanger their safety and hinder vital reporting during a disaster.
WPF fully supports journalists Luzfrandy Contreras, Luz Dary Depablos, Tatiana Ortiz, and Zulma López, who were prevented from filming an informational bulletin in the Táchira Hospital parking lot while conducting an interview with Health Union representatives.
WPF expresses unwavering solidarity with journalists Pableysa Ostos, Jhoalys Siverio, Francesca Díaz, Karla Ávila, Stephane Hernández, and Rosangely Bruces.
WPF expresses unwavering solidarity with exiled journalist Sebastiana Barráez, who faces renewed accusations from the Attorney General of the Republic, Tarek William Saab.
Nicole Gómez Cubillán, a correspondent for El Medio, was detained by the Bolivarian National Guard (GNB) on April 21, 2024, while covering the National Popular Consultation, a nationwide referendum, in Lechería, Venezuela.
WPF expresses serious concern regarding the obstruction faced by journalists from ten media outlets, including Silvimar Campos of Canal i and Impacto Venezuela, María Marcano of Venevisión, Nelmary Salazar of Globovisión, Lisbeth Miquilena of Televen, and Ana Carolina Arias of VPItv and Reporte Confidencial, who were barred from documenting a riot at a police headquarters in Porlamar, Nueva Esparta.
Director of Prensalternativa, Hilianni Vásquez, was targeted by government officials in Cumaná after covering a local protest.
CFWIJ and WPF expresses deep concern over the arrest warrant issued by the Venezuelan regime, targeting 14 people, including the highly respected journalist Sebastiana Barráez.
CFWIJ and WPF is deeply concerned about the recent events in Venezuela involving former vice president Diosdado Cabello's accusations against seven journalists
CFWIJ and WPF stands in solidarity with Mari Montes, a prominent Venezuelan sports reporter who has endured years of relentless online harassment and misogyny on Twitter.
CFWIJ and WPF denounces the recent incidents of online harassment and defamation targeting journalist Pableysa Ostos.
CFWIJ and WPF condemns the recent actions of the General Directorate of Military Counterintelligence (Dgcim) in Venezuela, which forced journalists Ruth Lara Castillo and María Torres to delete their coverage of the El Palito refinery oil spill.
Following Venezuela’s December 3 referendum, the country’s lead prosecutor issued multiple warrants against journalist Claudio Macero and others, accusing them of conspiring against the non-binding referendum to reclaim Essequibo territory from Guyana.
During the consultative referendum on Essequibo on December 3, press freedom and information guarantees for journalists and media outlets were violated by members of the Plan República
Regina was targeted with verbal attacks and intimidation on the evening of November 30 while covering the upcoming Consultative Referendum on the Essequibo territory, set to take place on December 3.
In Maturín, Monagas state, multiple journalists, including Lisbeth Martínez, were prevented from covering a protest at the Dr. Manuel Núñez Tovar University Hospital.
Reporter Karla Ávila fears she is under surveillance after witnessing an unidentified person and police take pictures of her.
Three members of the Bolivarian National Guard block journalists Marinelid Marcano and Gianna Rodríguez from covering an indigenous protest.
Unknown persons threw threatening pamphlets targeting reporter Luzfrandy Contreras. The leaflets contained photographs of Contreras along with the message: "Luzfrandy politicizes journalistic work. You will end up like Seir Contreras. Hiding and unemployed."
Journalists Michelle Agreda from Globovisión and Nelsy Delgado from Canal i physically assaulted, alongside reporters from Televen, El Martillo Venezuela, and Venevisión, at a political party event.
The journalist had to relocate due to the risks she faced as a journalist and may now face deportation.
Journalist Alexandra Torres physically and verbally attacked while reporting on the takeover of a police headquarters in Zulia state after being falsely accused of one-sided reporting on the region.
Exiled journalist Carola Briceño has been on a hunger strike for eight days outside the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) headquarters in Bogotá.
Multiple news websites known for being critical of the country’s authoritarian government experienced disrupted accessibility
Mildred Manrique, 800 Noticias’ journalist, affirmed that security forces attempted to search her house without having a prior notice or a search warrant. The journalist also included that the police officers were carrying long weapons. The Coalition For Women In Journalism (CFWIJ) condemns Venezuelan security officials for intimidating Mildred. We demand clarification into this deliberate threat against the journalist.
Venezuela’s recent election results have led to chaos and violence. Protesters supporting both Juan Guaidó, the president of the National Assembly, and the “re-elected” President Nicolás Maduro are part of the clashes.
Women Press Freedom is an initiative by The Coalition For Women In Journalism
The Coalition For Women In Journalism is a global organization of support for women journalists. The CFWIJ pioneered mentorship for mid-career women journalists across several countries around the world and is the first organization to focus on the status of free press for women journalists. We thoroughly document cases of any form of abuse against women in any part of the globe. Our system of individuals and organizations brings together the experience and mentorship necessary to help female career journalists navigate the industry. Our goal is to help develop a strong mechanism where women journalists can work safely and thrive.
If you have been harassed or abused in any way, and please report the incident by using the following form.