The Venezuelan government has recently come under fire for cancelling the passports of dozens of journalists and activists following President Nicolás Maduro’s contested re-election victory. This move is seen as part of a broader crackdown on dissenting voices in the country. According to the Financial Times, at least 40 individuals, mostly journalists and human rights activists, have had their passports revoked without explanation.
The Caracas-based rights group Laboratorio de Paz has raised concerns that the actual number of affected individuals could be much higher, as many Venezuelans are afraid to report such cases. Passport confiscations have reportedly occurred at the country’s main airport, preventing individuals from leaving the country.
This tactic of passport cancellation is seen as a swift and effective way for the government to silence dissent without resorting to more severe measures such as murder or torture. Maduro’s victory in the disputed July election continues to be a source of contention, with the opposition rejecting the results.
The crackdown on journalists and activists is a troubling sign of escalating repression in Venezuela, and raises concerns about the state of press freedom and human rights in the country.
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