Venezuela Frees Journalist Roland Carreno Arrested In 2024 Maduro Re-Election Protests

Last Updated:January 14, 2026, 21:54 IST

Carreno, a well‑known journalist and political activist, was detained on 2 August 2024 amid nationwide demonstrations following the presidential election.

News18

Venezuela on Wednesday freed opposition journalist and activist Roland Carreno, who was arrested during protests over former President Nicolas Maduro’s disputed re‑election in 2024, Venezuelan press groups said on Wednesday.

Carreno, a well‑known journalist and political activist, was detained on 2 August 2024 amid nationwide demonstrations following the presidential election held on 28 July that year. The election result, in which Maduro was declared the winner, was widely challenged by the opposition and seen by critics as lacking transparency.

He has spent more than a year in custody on serious charges including terrorism, stemming from his role in the protests, press freedom groups said. Other journalists were also arrested at the same time and charged with similar offences.

The National Union of Press Workers of Venezuela confirmed Carreno’s release on social media platform X on Wednesday. In its post, the union wrote, “We confirm the release from prison of journalist Roland Carreño, He was imprisoned since August 2, 2024: 1 year, 5 months and 12 days."

In a separate post, the union said that, as of midday on January 14, it had confirmed the release of 14 journalists and press workers so far, and added that it was in contact with families and awaiting the release of others still detained.

Carreno was previously jailed from 2020 to 2023 on terrorism charges but released under a political agreement before being re‑arrested amid the unrest in 2024.

(With inputs from AFP)

News world Venezuela Frees Journalist Roland Carreno Arrested In 2024 Maduro Re-Election Protests

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