Venezuela: Warrant Issued Against Claudia Marcero for Alleged Involvement in Referendum Conspiracy
Journalist and others charged with treason, criminal association, and money laundering
Location: Venezuela, Caracas
Date: December 6, 2023
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. This incident is not isolated. It is part of a disturbing pattern of press violations in Venezuela, especially around the time of the Essequibo referendum. The verbal attacks and intimidation against journalist Regina Freites from Qué Pasa en Venezuela on November 30, 2023, and the restrictions imposed on press access on the day of the referendum, with 30 journalists affected, including 16 women, are testament to an environment increasingly hostile to free journalism. The Coalition For Women In Journalism and Women Press Freedom denounces the absurd charges against Macero and demands an end to the Maduro-led government’s crackdown on free press.
The Attorney General of the Republic in Venezuela, Tarek William Saab, has issued arrest warrants against journalist Claudia Macero and several members of the political party Vente Venezuela. Saab alleges their involvement in "destabilizing and conspiratorial actions" surrounding the December 3 Essequibo referendum vote on a territorial dispute with Guyana. The charges against Macero and associates are severe, including "treason to the country," "conspiracy with a foreign power," "money laundering," and "association to commit a crime."
During a press conference on December 6, Saab presented a diagram outlining the alleged conspiracy, complete with photos, names, and ID numbers of those accused, including Claudia Macero, who serves as the communications coordinator for the political party Vente Venezuela.
Among the accusations, the Attorney General claimed that Macero managed a list of over 100 journalists associated with Vente Venezuela, tasked with promoting narratives favoring the party’s leader, María Corina Machado. Macero is alleged to have led a communication strategy aimed at tarnishing the reputation of those not aligning with Machado's plans.
Additionally, Macero and her associates face accusations of "economic relations" with U.S. citizen Savoi Wright, who was arrested in Venezuela for purported participation in a "conspiracy" against the referendum. Wright’s family in the United States contends that he was unjustly arrested and is currently held in Venezuela, allegedly for a ransom amounting to tens of thousands of dollars.
As of now, Macero and the Vente Venezuela employees are not in custody; they are currently free and awaiting formal notification of the legal procedures against them.
The warrants have sparked widespread condemnation from opposition leaders, activists, and press freedom organizations. The National Union of Press Workers rejected the accusations against Macero, while two-time presidential candidate Henrique Capriles decried the warrants as a "new persecution against those who think differently." Capriles criticized Maduro’s government for "once again using institutions and Justice to intimidate, persecute, and sow fear."
This assault on a journalist is not an isolated incident but follows a series of press violations leading up to and during the Essequibo referendum. On November 30, 2023, journalist Regina Freites from Qué Pasa en Venezuela faced verbal attacks and intimidation by Plan República officials during coverage of the Consultative Referendum on the Essequibo territory. Plan República, a military deployment during electoral processes, accused Freites of committing a crime, pressured her to delete videos, and derogatorily commented on her work and that of other media outlets.
On December 3, the day of the referendum, numerous press freedom violations occurred. Plan República, responsible for maintaining order during elections, was implicated in nine documented cases of restricting press access, affecting 30 journalists, 16 of whom were women.
The Coalition For Women In Journalism and Women Press Freedom denounces the severe charges leveled at Claudia Macero and her associates. The allegations of involvement in a conspiracy against the Essequibo referendum, combined with claims of foreign interference, raise serious concerns about the government's attempts to suppress opposition voices and divert attention from domestic issues. We call on the Attorney General to drop these absurd charges against Macero and to cease using the judicial system to silence voices of dissent.
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.
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