RSF demands action on disappearance of Venezuela activist News
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RSF demands action on disappearance of Venezuela activist

Reporters Without Borders (RSF) called on Venezuelan authorities to reveal the whereabouts of activist Carlos Correa on Thursday, urging the government to release the activist and respect press freedom.

RSF Latin America Bureau Director Artur Romeu stated:

We express our deep concern about Carlos Correa’s fate and we urge the Venezuelan government to end its silence, shed light on his situation and guarantee his safety. Given his state of health, about which his relatives have expressed deep concern, we insist on the urgency of ensuring that he has access to essential medical care and that his physical and psychological integrity be preserved. It is urgent that he be released.

Correa leads Espacio Público, an organization that advocates for freedom of expression. Correa has long been vocal in denouncing the Venezuelan government’s crackdown on independent media. For the past 20 years, spokespeople and officials of the Venezuelan ruling party have repeatedly attacked Correa, both physically and verbally, because of his opposition to their practices and alleged human rights violations.

According to RSF, Correa disappeared on January 7 under suspicious circumstances after meeting with colleagues to discuss ongoing press freedom violations. The group reported that a masked gunman abducted Correa in Caracas that day “in a manner typical of an arrest by state security forces.” Correa’s family immediately reported his disappearance to local authorities on January 8, but they said the investigation has not made significant progress.

RSF joined other human rights organizations and foreign governments in calling for a transparent investigation of Correa’s disappearance. Activists across Venezuela have organized protests and vigils, demanding Correa’s safe return and stronger protections for journalists. The UN High Commissioner also expressed concern about the disappearance of the journalist and said that dialogue about his case is essential.

In a recent report, the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights stated: “This disappearance, like many others, is intended to silence journalists, which not only violates the individual right of reporters to express and disseminate their ideas, opinions, and information, but also affects the right of a society to freely access information.”

Despite mounting pressure, Venezuelan authorities have not issued any official statements regarding the case. This silence has led some to speculate about potential state complicity or negligence, further eroding public trust in the government.

Venezuela has a long history of hostility toward independent journalism. Many journalists and activists who speak out against the government have faced harassment, detention, or violence. In November 2024, RSF and seven other organizations released a report finding over 228 violations of press freedom surrounding the country’s July 2024 presidential election. RSF also ranked Venezuela 156th out of 180 countries on its 2024 World Press Freedom Index.

RSF added: “Carlos Correa’s disappearance exposes the extreme risks faced by journalists in repressive regimes.” The organization reiterated its commitment to defending press freedom worldwide, stressing the need for collective action to protect journalists.

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