Venezuelan authorities order police to search for and detain all those who supported the US attack
Venezuelan authorities have declared a state of emergency and ordered the police to immediately launch a nationwide search and detention of all persons involved in supporting or approving the US military operation. This is stated in a decree promulgated on 5 January, which has been formally in force since 3 January, the FT reports.
The decision was made after US forces captured President Nicolas Maduro and his wife, Celia Flores. According to human rights activists and media unions, a wave of repression has begun in Caracas and other cities. Armed paramilitary groups, colectivos, have set up roadblocks, and law enforcement officers are checking citizens' phones for support for the US actions.
According to the National Syndicate of Press Workers of Venezuela, at least 14 journalists and media workers, including 11 foreigners, were detained for several hours during the events near the National Assembly building. Some of them were later released, but the whereabouts of several remain unknown.
The country's new leader, Delcy Rodriguez, who was sworn in as acting president, has begun to consolidate power amid severe restrictions on any public manifestations of support for Maduro's ouster. According to the human rights organisation Foro Penal, there are at least 863 political prisoners in Venezuela.
Photo: Reuters Gun-toting paramilitaries known as ‘colectivos’ have put up checkpoints around the capital
