It happened during coverage of a march in Caracas demanding salary increases
The Press Workers Union (SNTP) reported that at least 10 journalists were attacked, on Thursday, by the Bolivarian National Police (PNB), while covering a march in Caracas demanding salary increases.
“At least 10 journalists and press workers were hit with anti-riot shields, sprayed with pepper gas and robbed by officers of the Bolivarian National Police, who prevented the advance of the mobilization demanding decent wages and pensions in Caracas,” explains the SNTP in a statement.
In the document, SNTP explains that the journalists were perfectly identified and that “they are not the only” recorded cases of aggression against media professionals registered since Thursday.
The union notes that, in addition to physical attacks, press professionals saw reporting equipment, cell phones and microphones destroyed.
“We demand an immediate end to attacks against the press and the carrying out of an investigation, with sanctions on the officials responsible. The State has the obligation to guarantee conditions for the exercise of journalism. To support this complaint, we keep in our possession photographs, videos, names and statements of the victims, which prove the deliberate action against identified journalists”, he highlights.
On Thursday, Venezuelan police dispersed, with tear gas, a demonstration called by unions and workers to ask for salary increases in front of the Miraflores Presidential Palace, in Caracas.
The National Union of Press Workers (SNTP) recently warned that journalism in Venezuela is not a safe activity, that there is a very high risk for journalists, comparing the exercise of the profession to a “war scenario”.
Aggressions, repression, arbitrary arrests during coverage of events, threats, institutionalized censorship and the blocking of more than 60 web portals since January are some of the situations that affect journalists.
Once detained, journalists are deprived of basic rights and telephone equipment is searched, according to the SNTP.
In January 2026, 16 journalists were detained while covering the inauguration of Delcy Rodríguez as interim president of Venezuela. Most were released after searches and device monitoring, and at least one foreign journalist was deported.
Some of these journalists remain prohibited from leaving the country, from giving interviews and are forced to periodically report themselves to the police.
In March 2026, several non-governmental organizations reported the forced disappearance of journalists detained without official information on their whereabouts.
