Versión Español
EspañolA group of Venezuelan journalists who manage the Twitter account @VVPeriodistas say they have received threats from supporters of President Nicolás Maduro after posting a controversial video on Wednesday, March 17. The video shows Maduro’s son, also named Nicolás, taking part in a wedding ceremony for family members of alleged Chavista frontmen.
https://twitter.com/VVperiodistas/status/577667139244580864
“He calls himself Joseph López. An example of the threats that we have received from Maduro’s henchmen.”
The 24-year-old chief of the Special Inspectors Body of the Presidency is seen dancing in a shower of dollar bills, along with the wedding couple. The groom, José Zalt, is a Syrian-Venezuelan businessman whose family owns the Wintex clothing retailer.
While showering the wedding couple in money is a traditional Arab custom, Venezuelans faced with a deep economic crisis have expressed outrage via social media over the young Maduro’s actions.
@VVperiodistas has said that YouTube flagged the video over a “privacy” complaint and would soon remove it. However, the video remains online 24 hours later.
https://twitter.com/VVperiodistas/status/577942038689292288
“#Alert We need help. Maduro’s regime flagged our YouTube channel and they want to censor our video.”
The Venezuelan government has detained at least six people over comments made on Twitter. Authorities arrested Leonel Sánchez (@anonymouswar) last August, and Inés González (@inesitaterrible) in September at Maracaibo.
Known for her astute criticisms of the president, González once had over 60,000 followers on the micro-blogging platform.
Last week, the Venezuelan government reportedly blocked Twitter in the interior of the country.
Sources: Cadena Ser, El Nacional.
