Venezuela Restores Access to 17 News Websites Censored for Years

Venezuela has restored access to 17 news websites that were blocked for years under the administration of Nicolas Maduro, according to the country's telecom regulator. Activists have welcomed the move but noted that dozens of other news portals remain inaccessible. Under Maduro's leadership, hundreds of national and international websites, as well as various news portals, faced censorship. Following Maduro's ouster, the U.S. has supported negotiations between the interim government, led by Delcy Rodriguez, and segments of the opposition. The decision to unblock the websites coincided with the second round of talks in Caracas. Dinorah Figuera, head of the opposition delegation, expressed support for the decision, stating, "Informing without fear cannot continue to be a privilege, but must be compliance with the law. This is a first step; there are still many media outlets missing, and they all have to return." The digital rights organization VE Sin Filtro confirmed the unblocking of 17 news sites, which are now accessible through various internet providers, while 188 websites, including 79 news portals, remain blocked. Journalists and NGOs have criticized the censorship imposed under Maduro. Some users had relied on VPNs to access the blocked websites. Deputy Communications Minister Gustavo Villapol stated that the decision aims to end polarization, emphasizing the need for responsible communication. Luis Ernesto Blanco, editorial director of Runrunes, one of the unblocked websites, remarked that the move signifies an acknowledgment of stifled public debate. Victor Amaya, who runs the TalCual news portal that was blocked in mid-2024, expressed skepticism about the accessibility of all censored sites but hoped for a normalized communication environment. The TalCual portal reported a 60% loss in audience and a significant drop in advertising revenue due to the blockade. Media watchdog Reporters Without Borders recently reported that repression, censorship, restricted access to information, and a hostile legal environment have severely hindered independent journalism in Venezuela.