Venezuela: Plan República Officials Threaten Regina Freites Ahead of Consultative Referendum

Verbal attacks and intimidation against the reporter raise additional concerns about press freedom in Venezuela.

Location: Venezuela, Caracas
Date: November 30, 2023

The Coalition For Women In Journalism and Women Press Freedom stands firmly united with Regina Freites from Qué Pasa en Venezuela, a digital media outlet. Regina was targeted with verbal attacks and intimidation on the evening of November 30 while covering the upcoming Consultative Referendum on the Essequibo territory, set to take place on December 3. The officials responsible for the attacks were members of Plan República, a military deployment implemented during all electoral processes in Venezuela. We strongly condemn any form of censorship or aggression directed towards women journalists who are diligently fulfilling their professional duties. We call on the authorities to thoroughly investigate the threats Regina Freites received and ensure those responsible are held accountable for their actions.

Plan República officials in Carúpano, Sucre state, verbally attacked and intimidated journalist Regina Freites from the digital media Qué Pasa en Venezuela. The incident occurred while Freites was carrying out electoral coverage in preparation for the Consultative Referendum regarding the Essequibo territory, scheduled for December 3. 

Freites, who was on duty and conducting tours of electoral centers to verify the seizure of polling stations, was collecting material at the Liceo Nacional Bolivariano Simón Rodríguez when she was called by a military official from Plan República who was inside the institution. According to Freites, the official accused her of committing a crime by recording the scene and engaged in a heated exchange with her.

"In the middle of the conflict, another official named Carrasquel approached. Despite showing them my credentials, Carrasquel spoke derogatorily about my work and the work of other media outlets," says Freites.

Freites further explained that Carrasquel pressured and intimidated her to delete the video she had recorded on her phone, claiming that it was an order from the military. The official then insisted on checking Freites' cell phone, alleging that the recording was saved in another area. Throughout the ordeal, the officers accused Freites of continuing recording secretely. 

Eventually, the military officials realized that Freites was recording the incident to document the situation, prompting a change in their tone. "Carrasquel addressed me respectfully and, after discussing the circumstances for a while, she apologized for what had happened," the journalist recounted.

This incident follows a previous attack on Freites by municipal police in Carúpano in June, when she was covering a fire that broke out in a supermarket.

In late September, the CFWIJ documented a case in which three members of the Bolivarian National Guard prevented journalists Marinelid Marcano and Gianna Rodríguez from covering an indigenous protest, citing safety concerns as the reason for denying them access.

Plan República

On November 29, Venezuela initiated the mobilization of over 356,000 military and police personnel as part of the Plan República, which will cover the entire country during the consultative referendum.

The Plan encompasses various tasks, including the distribution of electoral materials during the setup of polling stations, ensuring their security, providing assistance to elderly, pregnant, or disabled voters, facilitating the entry of technicians, accredited national observers, and international companions, removing contingency materials if required, delivering electoral records and instruments to the National Electoral Board and respective Regional Electoral Offices, and ensuring the safe transfer of electoral materials to the National Electoral Council (CNE) warehouses.

During the 2010 parliamentary elections, Plan República members unlawfully entered the complaint center established at the Simón Bolívar University. Armed with long weapons, they confiscated three computers without a search warrant, thereby infringing upon the university's autonomy.

CFWIJ has been closely observing the media situation in Venezuela and has recorded multiple cases of women journalists being targeted with harassment, intimidation, and physical assaults.

In recent years, Venezuela has witnessed a substantial transformation in its media landscape, characterized by a significant erosion of media pluralism and press freedom. The government has taken numerous steps to exert control and manipulate the media, leading to a decline in journalistic independence. One such measure has been the establishment of state-owned media organizations, which have faced allegations of biased reporting in favor of the government's agenda.

Consequently, alternative and independent media outlets have emerged as a response to this restricted environment. These outlets heavily rely on digital platforms and social media to disseminate information and provide an alternative perspective. However, they encounter numerous obstacles, including limited financial resources, threats, and online harassment. Journalists operating within these outlets have reported instances of harassment, intimidation, and censorship by government authorities, further stifling their ability to freely report and express dissenting views.

The Coalition For Women In Journalism and Women Press Freedom strongly condemns the intimidating acts carried out by Plan República officials against journalist Regina Freites and the restriction on journalistic coverage in the area. The intimidation and harassment of journalists not only undermines press freedom but also hinders the public's right to access information. It is crucial that Venezuelan authorities take immediate action to ensure the safety and protection of journalists, allowing them to carry out their work without fear of reprisals.

The Coalition For Women In Journalism is a global organization of support for women journalists. The CFWIJ pioneered mentorship for mid-career women journalists across several countries around the world and is the first organization to focus on the status of free press for women journalists. We thoroughly document cases of any form of abuse against women in any part of the globe. Our system of individuals and organizations brings together the experience and mentorship necessary to help female career journalists navigate the industry. Our goal is to help develop a strong mechanism where women journalists can work safely and thrive.

If you have been harassed or abused in any way, and please report the incident by using the following form.