List published by the National Union of Press Workers of Venezuela. Photo: X / SNTP
Guacamaya, January 14, 2026. The National Union of Press Workers (SNTP) and the National College of Journalists (CNP) of Venezuela confirmed the release of fourteen journalists and media workers who had been detained under different conditions and for varying periods of time, some for nearly four years.
Non-governmental and professional organizations reported that the released journalists include professionals who had been detained for periods ranging from several months to several years, many of whom had previously been accused of offenses linked to their journalistic work or their participation in opinion spaces critical of the government.
Among the confirmed names are:
1. Ramón Centeno – Journalist detained since 2022, released after nearly four years.
2. Carlos Marcano – Communicator, activist, and university professor, detained in May 2025.
3. Víctor Ugás – Journalist held for more than a year prior to his release.
4. Leandro Palmar – Journalist detained since January 2025.
5. Belises Cubillán – Media worker detained along with Palmar.
6. Rafael García – Journalist detained since July 2025.
7. Luis López – Communicator detained in June 2024.
8. Roland Carreño – Journalist and political activist, imprisoned for more than a year.
9. Nakary Ramos – Journalist detained in April 2025 along with her husband.
10. Gianni González – Camera assistant and partner of Ramos.
11. Carlos Julio Rojas – Journalist and activist.
12. Nicmar Evans – Communicator released following his detention.
13. Gabriel González – Journalist linked to regional media outlets.
14. Julio César Balza – Photojournalist released.
The detention of journalists in Venezuela has been the subject of repeated denunciations by press unions, non-governmental organizations, and human rights groups, which point to a pattern of criminalization of journalistic work and repression of freedom of expression.
The January 14 releases are part of a broader wave of releases that Venezuelan authorities have highlighted in recent weeks as part of an initiative to free political prisoners, although independent organizations warn that thousands of people detained for political reasons remain behind bars.
The list of those released may expand in the coming hours or days, as new releases are confirmed or the judicial conditions of each case are clarified.
