Journalist organizations and witnesses reported attacks against press workers during the march of workers, retirees and students that took place this Thursday in Caracas.
The mobilization left Plaza Venezuela bound for the Miraflores Palace. The protesters demanded a real wage increase and improvements in working conditions in the face of the economic crisis.
A strong force from the Bolivarian National Police (PNB) and the Bolivarian National Guard blocked the advance in several points in the city center, especially in the vicinity of Candelaria, Plaza El Venezolano and Urdaneta Avenue.
The security forces used tear gas, metal fences, tanks and human cordons to contain the participants, who numbered around 2,000 people. After struggles at checkpoints, the march did not reach the presidential palace and was diverted to alternative routes.
According to media reports and participants, some journalists covering the event were attacked with blunt objects, pepper spray, and threatened with confiscation of their recording equipment. Officials and pro-government militants harassed reporters at the scene.
The National Union of Press Workers (SNTP) reported this Thursday that at least 10 journalists and media workers were attacked by PNB members during coverage of the march.
The journalists were beaten, sprayed with pepper spray, had their equipment destroyed, and had their belongings stolen in order to prevent the events from being recorded. The SNTP demanded the immediate cessation of the attacks, investigation and punishment of those responsible.
“The State is obliged to guarantee conditions for journalistic practice,” the union said.
These complaints add to the recent balance sheet of the National College of Journalists (CNP), which recorded 79 attacks against press workers in the first quarter of 2026. The CNP warned about a pattern of violations of press freedom that includes arbitrary arrests, coverage impediments, harassment and a “legal limbo” that affects at least 20 communicators with prolonged judicial proceedings without resolution.
Union leaders such as José Patines described the mobilization as successful despite the obstacles and ratified the demand for dialogue with the authorities for the fulfillment of constitutional labor rights.
The day passed with high tension in the center of Caracas, but without reports of serious injuries until the closing of this note.
Organizations defending freedom of expression called on the authorities to respect journalistic work and guarantee the right to information during the demonstrations.
