Univision reporter Jorge Ramos was reportedly detained at the presidential palace in Caracas last night by order of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and later released.
Ramos, who was among a group of U.S.-based reporters conducting interviews with Maduro, was reportedly “arbitrarily detained” after he asked questions the Venezuelan strongman “didn’t like.” Univision said Ramos’s team was also detained at Miraflores Palace, and their equipment was confiscated.
Western Hemisphere Assistant Secretary of State State Kim Breier tweeted that the State Department had received word of the detention and insisted upon their immediate release. “.@StateDept has received word the journalist @jorgeramosnews and his team are being held against their will at Miraflores Palace by Nicolas Maduro. We insist on their immediate release; the world is watching,” Breier wrote.
Ramos and his team were released later in Caracas, according to Univision journalist Daniel Coronell, who said he spoke with Ramos. Univision also confirmed their release.
Jorge Rodriguez, Maduro’s minister of communication, denied Ramos had received unfair treatment, and called Univision’s accusation “a cheap show.” “Hundreds of reporters have passed through Miraflores and have received decent treatment that we habitually impart to those who come to fulfill journalistic work, and have published the result of that work,” tweeted Rodríguez in Spanish.
The U.S. has called for Maduro to give up his claim on the presidency in Venezuela and yesterday it announced a new round of sanctions designed to pressure Maduro.
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