media workers were trying to leave, the Legislative Palace was surrounded by a group of
about 40 individuals who prevented them from exiting. The individuals were yelling
slogans in favor of the government and President Chavez and insulting the media
workers; some also threatened the media workers. The Globovisión workers' vehicle,
clearly marked with the media's name, was scratched, hit, and sprayed with paint. The
Globovisión workers finally had to be evacuated from the area by the Metropolitan Police.
On July 9, 2002, a grenade was thrown into the parking area at the
Globovisiónheadquarters; it caused serious material damage to the building and a
number of cars belonging to Globovisión employees.
On July 17, 2002, a teargas bomb was thrown into the station and exploded in the
parking area. There were no injuries or material damage.
On September 11, 2002, journalist Ana Karina Villalba,
assistant Anthony Infantino were covering an event
government to commemorate the events of April 11, 2002
a government supporter armed with a pole. They had to
escort and were unable to cover the event.
cameraman Alí Vargas, and
organized by the national
when they were assaulted by
leave the area with a police
On September 21, 2002, journalist Rossana Rodríguez Gudiño, 2 cameraman Felipe Lugo
Durán, and his assistant Wilmer Escalona Arnal were traveling in a vehicle belonging to
Globovisión to cover a story in the center of Caracas when a group of individuals
assaulted their vehicle. The attackers carried bottles and one carried a firearm. They hit
the vehicle, breaking its windows, and threatened the Globovisión employees. They
forced the media workers to get out of the car and to give them the equipment they were
using to carry out their work. Then they took the car, moving it to a nearby location
where they continued to damage it. The car was finally returned—damaged—to the
media workers, but the attackers kept a video tape and some of their equipment.
On November 18, 2002, unidentified individuals threw a grenade into theGlobovisión
headquarters. The explosion caused a fire in the parking area and entrance to the
station, which damaged the building and a number of cars.
On December 3, 2002, journalist Aymara Lorenzo, cameraman Richard López, and
assistant Félix Padilla, along with representatives of other private media were gathered
to cover a small demonstration by opposition members. The National Guard arrived and
proceeded to release large quantities of teargas and fire rubber bullets in order to
disperse the demonstrators. According to the Globovisiónworkers, the level of force used
by the National Guard was excessive in relation to the small crowd of demonstrators and
the National Guard members continued to use tear gas and rubber bullets after all the
demonstrators had left and only journalists remained in the area.
On December 10, 2002, government sympathizers carried out a coordinated operation to
take over the main media installations in Venezuela, including various installations of
Globovisión. At the Globovisión headquarters in Caracas, a large group of demonstrators
gathered at the main entrance for hours, where they yelled insults at the channel and its
workers, hit and scratched the walls and doors, and prevented people from entering or
leaving the station. At theGlobovisión installation in Maracaibo, the government
sympathizers entered the station and plundered it, destroying equipment and property.
The Petitioners allege that among those participating in these acts were congressional
representatives and other public functionaries from the government party. Additionally,
the Minister of Interior and Justice publicly defended these actions as "lawful and
peaceful demonstrations" on a mandatory broadcast. Similar incidents occurred
throughout the month of December.
2
The journalist Rossana Rodríguez Gudiño died shortly after this incident in a traffic accident and therefore is not
included as a petitioner.
4