Venezuelan photographer Juan Barreto has been recognized for his powerful imagery documenting the country’s ongoing political and social turmoil. Barreto received first prize in the News Picture Story category at an international photography competition for a series of images captured during anti-government protests in Caracas in May 2017.
The winning series depicts opposition supporters lighting candles in remembrance of the 43 people who died during clashes with police following weeks of demonstrations against the government of Nicolás Maduro. One image, which also earned Barreto a third-place prize in the Spot News category, shows a protester engulfed in flames during confrontations with security forces.
The awards come as Venezuela continues to grapple with a deep political and economic crisis. According to reports from 2026, the situation remains volatile, with ongoing calls for a national agreement to address the country’s challenges. Juan Barreto, speaking to EL PAÍS English, stated that “Those in power in Venezuela must take the first steps toward a national agreement.”
The photography competition also highlighted conflict and hardship in other regions. Marco Longari received second place in the News Picture Story category for his function documenting clashes between supporters of rival candidates during the 2017 Kenyan presidential election. His photograph depicts a mother grieving over the body of her son, killed by police in the Mathare slum of Nairobi. Bulent Kilic received an honorable mention for his series from Raqa, Syria, showing a Syrian Democratic Forces member taking cover from sniper fire near a hospital.
Fred Dufour was awarded second place in the Spot News category for his haunting image of Rohingya refugee bodies washed ashore on a beach in Bangladesh. The photograph captures the devastating consequences of the crisis that led to a mass exodus of Rohingya people from Myanmar.
Other notable awards included Brendan Smialowski and Ed Jones, both receiving honorable mentions in the Sports Feature category for their images from the United States and North Korea, respectively. Luis Tato received third place in the Chris Hondros Memorial International News category for his coverage of the Kenyan elections.
The awards underscore the role of photojournalism in documenting conflict, political unrest, and human suffering around the world. The situation in Venezuela, however, remains unresolved, with no immediate path toward a national agreement apparent as of March 7, 2026.
