Prominent Venezuelan Journalist Detained in Caracas Amid Rising Press Crackdown

Carmela Longo Arrested After Police Raid
A well-known Venezuelan journalist, Carmela Longo, was detained by police in Caracas on Sunday after authorities raided her home. This incident was reported by the National Union of Press Workers of Venezuela (SNTP) and the rights organization Espacio Público, who shared details of the arrest on their X accounts.

Departure from Pro-Government Newspaper Followed by Arrest
The police, armed with a search warrant, arrived at Longo’s apartment and took her into custody. Longo, a seasoned journalist with over twenty years of experience, recently made headlines by announcing her departure from the pro-government newspaper Últimas Noticias, where she had worked for two decades. Just days after her public resignation, the timing of her arrest has raised concerns among press freedom advocates.

Video Evidence and Public Outcry
“National police officers took the journalist [Carmela Longo] and her son… in addition to some computer equipment,” the SNTP revealed in a post on X. Accompanying the post was a video showing Longo being escorted into a police van by agents dressed in black, with the van and a trailing vehicle leaving the scene shortly afterward.

Press Crackdown Intensifies Following Election
The SNTP also highlighted a disturbing trend: Longo’s detention marks at least the ninth instance of a journalist being arrested following the disputed July 28 presidential election. These arrests are part of a broader crackdown on the press and dissenting voices in Venezuela.

No Response from Government Authorities
Requests for comment from the Ministry of Information and the Attorney General’s Office have yet to be answered. However, this latest incident adds to the growing concern over the state of press freedom in the country.

Rising Number of Political Prisoners in Venezuela
According to the legal rights NGO Foro Penal, there are currently 1,674 political prisoners in Venezuela, the highest number recorded in this century. This figure excludes those who have been released or detained for short periods (less than 48 hours). The arrest of Longo further underscores the repressive environment faced by journalists and activists under the current regime.