Venezuelan government revokes CNN press credentials

USPA News - The Venezuelan government revoked press credentials for CNN journalists on Friday, less than a day after President Nicolas Maduro threatened to expel the American news network if it did not "rectify" its coverage of anti-government protests. Government officials in Caracas, the country`s capital, notified seven journalists from CNN International and CNN en Espanol that their press credentials had been revoked.

Among the journalists is CNN en Espanol anchor Patricia Janiot, who left Venezuela on Friday. In a televised speech on Thursday, Maduro told the public that CNN was not showing "the people working, studying, building the homeland." Instead, Maduro described the broadcasts as "war propaganda." "Enough war propaganda. I do not accept war propaganda against Venezuela," Maduro said during the speech. "If they do not rectify things, get out of Venezuela, CNN, get out!" President Maduro continued to criticize CNN, saying: "[They are] a group of fascists, with their aggressions they want to take us away from peace. They are not going to do that. And we are going to show them." CNN en Espanol denied the accusations and expressed hope the Venezuelan government would reconsider. "CNN has reported both sides of the tense situation in Venezuela, even with very limited access to government officials," the network said in a statement. "We hope the government will reconsider its decision. Meanwhile, we will continue reporting on Venezuela in the fair, accurate and balanced manner we are known for." The decision to strip CNN of its press credentials came just days after the Venezuelan government expelled three U.S. diplomats. The diplomats were declared `persona non grata` over allegations that they were conspiring against the Venezuelan government, a claim the U.S. State Department denied.