Ana Guaita Barreto, a journalist working for the anti-Chavista news website La Patilla in Venezuela, has been arrested by the country’s secret service. The information was revealed by Perkins Rocha, lawyer for opposition leader María Corina Machado, on Tuesday evening, August 20th. Barreto’s family confirmed that agents detained her at her home near the capital, Caracas. The union representing media workers in Venezuela reported that Ana is the sixth journalist to be arrested since the July 28th presidential election. The National Electoral Council (CNE), dominated by the Chavista government, declared Nicolás Maduro the winner. However, the results were contested, leading to protests and numerous arrests, many of which human rights groups have described as arbitrary. The union stated that Guaita was not informed about the reason for her arrest but believes she became a target due to her work for an opposition news site. Human rights activist Tamara Suju reported that Ana’s family has not been informed of her whereabouts.
Venezuelan Journalist Arrested Amidst Post-Election Crackdown
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