Caption: Venezuelan National Journalists Association spokesperson Delvalle Canelon
In Brief
- Censorship Rolled Back: Venezuela’s telecom regulator and digital rights groups confirmed the unblocking of 10 news websites previously censored under Nicolas Maduro’s administration.
- Political Context: The decision comes hours before the second round of US-sponsored political transition talks in Caracas, occurring eight months after Maduro’s capture by US forces and the installation of interim leader Delcy Rodriguez.
- More to be Done: While the opposition delegation called the move a positive ‘first step,’ digital rights NGO Venezuela Sin Filtro notes that at least 194 websites, including 84 news outlets, remain blocked.
CARACAS Venezuela (AFP) – Venezuela has unblocked some news sites that had been censored for years, its telecom regulator and an NGO said Thursday, hours before US-backed political transition talks were set to resume.
Caracas censored hundreds of websites under president Nicolas Maduro, who was captured by US forces in January and replaced by interim leader Delcy Rodriguez.
Eight months after his ouster, Washington is sponsoring dialogue between the interim government and parts of the opposition, although President Donald Trump has ruled out elections in the near future.
The decision to unblock censored outlets came ahead of the second round of talks in Caracas, which will partly focus on freedom of expression.
Telecom regulator CONATEL announced the “formal restoration of access to various national and international digital platforms and media outlets.”
Digital rights group Venezuela Sin Filtro verified access to 10 news sites through several internet providers.
At least 194 websites remain blocked, it said, including 84 news outlets.
Dinorah Figuera, head of the opposition delegation, called the decision “a first step.”
“Many outlets are still missing, and they all have to come back, fully and permanently,” she wrote on X.
Journalists and NGOs have spent years campaigning against censorship implemented by Maduro’s administration, with users having to rely on a VPN to access blocked sites.
Rodriguez formerly served as Maduro’s vice president and effectively governs under Washington’s thumb.
