Reporter Cody Weddle has reported to the US media about the power struggle in Venezuela. Now he was taken away by the Venezuelan military intelligence service.
In the midst of political turmoil in Venezuela, security forces have arrested a US journalist. Venezuelan military intelligence agents searched Cody Weddle’s home in Caracas and took away the reporter and his work equipment, the National Union of Media Professionals (SNTP) said. Weddle works as a freelance journalist, according to own statements, including for the US media ABC and „Miami Herald“.
A US State Department spokesman said they had seen the arrest reports and were very worried. „Being a journalist is not a crime,“ the spokesman explained.
Head of state Nicolás Maduro and self-appointed interim president Juan Guaidó are currently fighting for power in the South American country. Weddle had last reported on the events in Venezuela.
The increasingly authoritarian government of Maduro arrested and expelled several foreign journalists a few weeks ago for working without a valid work visa in Venezuela. Since the end of last year, German journalist Billy Six has also been imprisoned in Venezuela. He is accused of espionage and rebellion.
