Maduro regime detains Chilean TVN journalists in Venezuela

A Chilean journalist and his TVN cameraman were arrested in Venezuela.

On August 1, journalist Iván Núñez and cameraman José Luis Tapia, from the Chilean TVN network, were arrested by a Venezuelan military patrol. TVN confirmed the news and highlighted that Nicolas Maduro ordered his prompt deportation. Chilean Foreign Minister Alberto van Klaveren, along with President Gabriel Boricis monitoring the case closely.

“After crossing two checkpoints without any problems in the San Cristóbal area, Iván Núñez and José Luis Tapia were detained by a military patrol in Chururú, a town located near Barinas,” TVN said in a public statement.

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Details of the arrest

Ivan Nunez and Jose Luis Tapia were in Venezuela to cover the presidential elections and related events. They entered the country from Cúcuta, Colombia, complying with all legal requirements. Although they crossed two checkpoints in the San Cristóbal area without problems, the police unexpectedly stopped them in Chururú, near Barinas.

TVN reported that contact with the journalists was lost following their arrest, causing concern both at TVN headquarters in Santiago and in the Chilean government.

Response from the Chilean government

The Chilean government, headed by Gabriel Boric, has begun diplomatic efforts to locate and free the TVN journalists. The Chilean ambassador to Venezuela, Jaime Gazmuri, is personally supervising the case. According to the latest news, the Venezuelan authorities have decided to proceed with the deportation of the journalists.

Foreign Minister Alberto van Klaveren expressed his concern and reaffirmed the government’s commitment to press freedom. “We are working intensively to ensure that our compatriots return safely. We will spare no effort to ensure their well-being and swift release,” Van Klaveren said.

Return to Chile

The deportation of Iván Núñez and José Luis Tapia is expected to be completed shortly. Venezuelan authorities have shown their willingness to proceed with their return to Chile. TVN is confident that the journalists will return soon and in good condition, reaffirming its commitment to press freedom as a pillar of democracy.