Censorship in Venezuela: Journalists face harassment during Maduro's elections

Press censorship in Venezuela intensified during the July 27 election, marked by what many international analysts describe as an "electoral farce" driven by Nicolás Maduro 's regime. According to the National Union of Press Workers (SNTP) , at least ten cases of harassment and obstruction of journalistic work were recorded in five regions of the country, in a clear pattern of violations of press freedom .

One of the most repeated patterns was the denial of access to polling stations even though journalists had official accreditation from the National Electoral Council (CNE) . In Lara state, reporters from various media outlets were blocked while attempting to cover candidate Henri Falcón's vote in the Iribarren municipality. Only cameramen and photojournalists were allowed access under surveillance and limited restrictions, while the rest of the press team was excluded on orders from military personnel .

In Bolívar state, journalists Félix Requena and Edwin Rosal were harassed and intimidated while covering a candidate's voting event at Nazareth School in Puerto Ordaz . Poll workers prohibited them from taking photographs, citing grounds that were not legally grounded, stating that only governors or mayors could be photographed, not candidates. Furthermore, officials filmed and photographed the reporters , accusing them of sabotaging the process. "We were simply documenting the day. What they did was a clear attempt at intimidation," Requena denounced.

Another serious case of information repression occurred in Cojedes state, where journalist Pilar Guerra , accredited by Qué Pasa Venezuela and Mango Noticias , was detained at the entrance to a polling station . Although she presented her identity card and CNE accreditation, a Plan República officer blocked her entry without any legal justification.

In Barquisimeto , also in Lara, the team at the newspaper El Impulso was forced to delete photographs taken at Colegio La Salle, despite having prior authorization from the school's coordinator. The order was issued by a commander of the Bolivarian National Guard (GNB) , which the SNTP denounced as an act of censorship without legal basis .

The harassment was not isolated. Similar restrictions were documented in Aragua and Zulia , where journalists were prevented from entering polling stations despite carrying valid credentials. In most cases, the obstacles were imposed by military authorities or poll workers , with no clear legal explanation.

In Nueva Esparta , a local reporter was prevented from recording images of support around the polling station at the Madre Guadalupe School in the Maneiro municipality. Furthermore, patrols from the Sebin (National Police) and the Dgcim (Defense Forces) were stationed nearby, contributing to an atmosphere of surveillance and intimidation .

The National Union of Press Workers has described these incidents as part of a systematic escalation of repression against freedom of information . The organization warned that these practices not only violate journalists' right to work, but also citizens' right to be informed , especially in electoral contexts.

According to the SNTP, what happened demonstrates a deliberate strategy by the regime to control the media narrative , limiting access to independent information and blocking coverage of potential irregularities. This type of censorship reflects the lack of transparency in key processes for Venezuelan democracy.

The day of July 27th was marked not only by questions about the legitimacy of the electoral process , but also by open repression against the media . Despite official accreditation, journalists were harassed, filmed, detained, and even forced to delete material .

In a country where press freedom is severely restricted , these new incidents reinforce allegations of a lack of democratic guarantees under Nicolás Maduro 's regime. Surveillance, censorship, and intimidation become additional barriers to the practice of free and committed journalism , vital to any society that aspires to transparency and accountability.