Venezuela: Government Officials in Cumaná Launch Attack Against Hilianni Vásquez

The Coalition For Women In Journalism and Women Press Freedom is deeply concerned by recent rise in press violations perpetrated by authorities

Location: Venezuela, Cumaná
Date: February 2, 2024

Director of Prensalternativa, Hilianni Vásquez, was targeted by government officials in Cumaná after covering a local protest. The attack brings attention to the risks journalists face in the country, where media outlets struggle under government censorship. With the 2024 presidential election looming, the Coalition For Women In Journalism and Women Press Freedom is profoundly concerned that assaults on the press will escalate. We condemn the harassment of Vásquez and call for an immediate end to such campaigns, demanding respect and safety for journalists in Venezuela.

“The Mayor of Cumaná ordered his entire executive team to launch a campaign to attack me and try to discredit me and expose me to public ridicule for exercising my role as a journalist,” explains Hilianni Vásquez after facing harassment orchestrated by government officials in Cumaná, in the state of Sucre.

On February 2, 2024, Vásquez was covering an official protest by residents of Terrazas del Sol, Cumaná, who objected to the use of their residential area for political purposes. While she reported, officials from the Mayor's Office of Cumaná began recording her.

The mayor's assistant, Oswaldo de la Cruz, filmed Vásquez and shared the video, accusing her of promoting “destabilizing media.” The video was widely circulated among officials of the Mayor's Office via WhatsApp statuses. 

In response, Vásquez published a video on Instagram rejecting the allegations made by the officials. Anonymous profiles began attacking the journalist on Instagram, making disparaging comments, accusing her of “inciting hatred” and “being outside the law.” Sympathizers of the ruling party continued harassing Vásquez on digital platforms, amplifying the attacks. 

Local press freedom organization IPYS Venezuela denounced the attacks against Vásquez, raising concerns that the harassment could escalate and damage her integrity as a journalist.

Attacks against journalists in Venezuela have seen a worrying rise in recent months. The press has been continuously obstructed, harassed, and intimidated. Many of these incidents have involved state authorities targeting journalists covering political events, and with a presidential election in 2024,  the Coalition For Women In Journalism and Women Press Freedom is concerned that attacks will continue to rise. 

The press in Venezuela is highly restricted. Since taking office in 2013, Nicolás Maduro has continued the "Communicational Hegemony" policy initiated by his predecessor, Hugo Chávez. This policy has created a prolonged atmosphere of restricted access to information in Venezuela, putting independent journalism at risk. Media outlets encounter challenges due to government-imposed internet censorship. Journalists face ongoing threats of violence, with little accountability due to state-controlled oversight. The situation paints a bleak picture for press freedom and the safety of journalists in Venezuela.

The Coalition For Women In Journalism and Women Press Freedom condemns the harassment endured by Hilianni Vásquez at the hands of officials from the Mayor’s Office of Cumaná. It is utterly unacceptable for a reporter to be targeted and vilified by state employees simply for covering a local demonstration. The efforts to undermine and smear Vásquez through online attacks must cease immediately. We demand an end to this campaign against the journalist and call upon all state officials to treat members of the press with respect, ensuring they can fulfill their duties free from intimidation.

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 women 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.