The United Nations is aware of media reports that a US journalist has been detained by the Venezuelan authorities and is attempting to get details, UN spokesperson Stephane Dujarric said in a press briefing on Wednesday
UNITED NATIONS (Pakistan Point News / Sputnik - 07th March, 2019) The United Nations is aware of media reports that a US journalist has been detained by the Venezuelan authorities and is attempting to get details, UN spokesperson Stephane Dujarric said in a press briefing on Wednesday."I have seen the press report; we are trying to get some details," Dujarric said. "As a matter of principle, I think, the Secretary-General very much supports the right of journalists to be able to do their work free of harassment and the response would be for every government around this world to ensure that journalists have a space in which to do their work."
Earlier on Wednesday, the Venezuelan government detained freelance reporter Cody Weddle and his colleague Carlos Camacho and seized their equipment, according to reports.
Weddle, who has resided in Caracas since 2014, covered opposition leader Juan Guaido's return to Venezuela on Monday.
Guaido was the head of the opposition-controlled National Assembly before declaring himself Venezuela's interim president on January 23.
Incumbent President Nicolas Maduro characterized Guaido as a puppet of the United States and charged that Washington has tried to conduct a coup d'etat in Venezuela to exact a change in government.
The United States and some 50 countries recognize Guaido as Venezuela's interim president.
Russia, China, Mexico, Turkey, Bolivia and a number of other countries recognize Maduro and his government as the legitimate authority in Venezuela.
