Italian journalist in Venezuela charged with terrorism amid post-election crackdown

Carmela Longo's detention is the latest in a string of arrests of journalists and media workers following Venezuela's July 28 disputed election, which incumbent President Nicolas Maduro claims to have won amid widespread fraud allegations. / bne IntelliNews

By José G. Marquez in Buenos Aires August 26, 2024

Venezuelan authorities have detained veteran entertainment journalist Carmela Longo in the wake of the country's disputed July 28 elections, according to local press freedom groups.

Longo, an Italian national with 40 years' experience in journalism, was arrested at her home alongside her 19-year-old son late on August 25, the National Union of Press Workers (SNTP) reported.

The arrest came shortly after Longo announced on social media that she had been dismissed from the pro-government tabloid Últimas Noticias, where she had worked for nearly two decades, most recently as editor-in-chief of the entertainment section.

According to the SNTP, Longo was charged with “terrorism” and “inciting hatred” during a remote court hearing, while her son was released without charge. Police reportedly seized laptops and cell phones from her residence. She was eventually released on August 26 and ordered to serve her sentence under house arrest, barred from leaving the country or discussing her case publicly.

The SNTP states that 12 press workers have been detained by President Nicolás Maduro's government in 2024, with eight arrests following the July 28 vote.

Five days prior to Longo's arrest, journalist Ana Carolina Guaita of La Patilla was also detained, with no official information available regarding her whereabouts or the charges against her.

Venezuelan authorities have arrested at least nine journalists and expelled 14 others in connection with the contested election, according to media watchdogs and free expression groups.

The Press and Society Institute (IPYS) documented 79 press freedom violations between July 29 and August 4 alone, mostly linked to election coverage and protests, and the current tally is likely much higher.

The NGO Foro Penal reports nearly 1,700 arbitrary arrests in the wake of the protests, a figure corroborated by Luis Almagro, Secretary General of the Organisation of American States (OAS).