Tense situation: Correspondents in Táchira face a siege by the Sebin during journalistic coverage

After several hours of harassment by agents of the Bolivarian National Intelligence Service (Sebin), our correspondents in Táchira, Mariana Duque and Luzfrandy Contreras, together with Lorena Bornacelly from Dossier Venezuela, finally managed to leave the business premises where they were sheltered. Thanks to the intervention of human rights defender Walter Máquez, they managed to find a safe place.

The journalists were on their way to do an interview after having covered an event in the morning. During this coverage, they noticed the presence of two SEBIN vehicles that they later saw again in the premises where they had taken refuge, and they realized that the officials were photographing them from outside.

In the midst of this tense situation, we at Diario de Los Andes express our firm rejection of any form of intimidation towards journalistic work by security agencies. It is essential that freedom of the press be protected and respected at all times.

#Táchira Three journalists are being harassed by Sebin officials. It is about @Mariananduque and Luzfrandy Contreras (Los Andes Newspaper) and Lorena Bornacelly (Venezuela Dossier).

*Information under development pic.twitter.com/FuMyNqqKGq

— Andes Newspaper (@diariodlosandes) July 24, 2024