Spain calls for release of journos held in Venezuela

By Senhan Bolelli

MADRID, Turkey (AA) - Spain Thursday called for the release of a national news agency staff who were arrested in Venezuela following anti-government demonstrations.

In a statement, the Prime Ministry condemned the detention of three journalists, two Colombian and Spanish, and a driver who were arrested in the capital Caracas on late Wednesday.

According to Spain's national news agency EFE, its staffers were arrested when the Bolivarian Intelligence Service, SEBIN, raided the hotel they stayed.

Commenting on the incident, Colombian Foreign Minister Carlos Holmes Trujillo said his country "rejects the arbitrary detention of two journalists and a photojournalist of EFE Agency".

"We demand immediate release and respect for their lives," Trujillo tweeted.

Meanwhile, Venezuela's Foreign Minister Jorge Arreaza defended his country's authorities, saying some journalists entered the country without work permits and some sought an access to the presidential palace without any accreditation.

"As in any other country in the world, journalists can't assign themselves an accreditation," Arreaza said on Twitter.

Venezuela has been rocked by protests since Jan. 10 when President Maduro was sworn in for a second term following a vote boycott by the opposition.

Last week, Juan Guaido, the leader of Venezuela’s opposition-led National Assembly, declared himself president and drew international attention.

In the wake of demonstrations and unrest in Venezuela, at least 268 protesters have been arrested across the country since Jan. 21.