Venezuela: Police raid last anti-Maduro newspaper

Venezuela: Police raid last anti-Maduro newspaper

Photo: Rayner Pena

 





The paper’s general manager called the seizure, which followed a court ruling, “an attack on democracy.” The move is the latest blow to press freedom in the Latin American country.

By DW

Venezuelan authorities seized the main offices of the anti-government El Nacional newspaper on Friday after the media organization failed to pay a $13 million (€10.7 million) fine related to a defamation ruling.

Venezuela’s Supreme Tribunal of Justice (TSJ) ordered the paper to pay the fine last month, ruling on a 2015 lawsuit against the outlet filed by Diosdado Cabello, a lawmaker and member of the ruling United Socialist Party of Venezuela.

What were the defamation charges?

Cabello filed the suit after the paper republished a Spanish article which claimed US authorities were investigating him over alleged ties to drug traffickers.

Read more: DW – Venezuela: Police raid last anti-Maduro newspaper

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