Venezuela has abruptly banned the broadcast of Deutsche Welle’s Spanish-language channel, ordering cable providers nationwide to pull the German outlet from their lineups. The directive came from the country’s telecom regulator, Conatel, which offered no explanation for the blackout.
However, German officials say the motive is clear: retaliation. Berlin — along with several Western nations — recognizes opposition leader Juan Guaidó and refuses to acknowledge Nicolás Maduro as Venezuela’s legitimate president.
Germany’s Foreign Ministry condemned the move, calling it a direct attack on press freedom.
Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Adebahr labeled the decision “regrettable,” stressing that media freedom remains a core value of the German government.
The ban marks yet another escalation in Maduro’s long-running assault on independent journalism, intensifying concerns abo