CNN expelled from Venezuela

CNN says Venezuela has revoked the accreditation of its Caracas-based reporter, Osmary Hernandez.

Two journalists who had been sent to Venezuela to cover the current crisis had their working permits cancelled.

President Nicolas Maduro had vowed to expel CNN unless it “rectified” its coverage of recent opposition marches.

Eight people have been killed in the protests, according to the government.

Chief Prosecutor Luisa Ortega Diaz said 137 people had been injured in the current series of protests, which began earlier this month.

Opposition leader Leopoldo Lopez, who called for the marches, was detained on Tuesday during a protest in Caracas.

The government accused him of inciting violence as part of a right-wing coup plot.

CNN is one of several media organizations complaining that their freedom of expression had been restricted by the Venezuelan government.

Last week, the government removed Colombian TV news channel NTN24 from channels offered by Venezuelan cable operators.

On Thursday, during a live broadcast, Nicolas Maduro threatened to “take action” against CNN unless it ceased what he described as “hostile coverage” of events in Venezuela.

“Enough war propaganda, I won’t accept war propaganda against Venezuela. If they don’t rectify themselves, out of Venezuela, CNN, out,” he said.

“They want to say to the world that there’s a civil war in Venezuela.”

CNN says Venezuelan officials asked the two journalists who had their work permits cancelled – Angela Janiot and Rafael Romo – when they would leave the country.

In a statement, CNN said it was still negotiating with the authorities.

“We hope the government reconsiders its decision. Meanwhile, we will carry on covering events in Venezuela in a fair, accurate and balanced manner,” read the statement.

On Sunday, Nicolas Maduro ordered the expulsion of three US diplomats. He accused them of meeting student leaders to conspire against his government.

The three diplomats deny the allegations.

A former union leader and close ally of the late president, Hugo Chavez, Nicolas Maduro was elected by a narrow margin last April.

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