Spain calls for release of journos held in Venezuela

By Senhan Bolelli</p> <p>MADRID, Turkey (AA) – Spain Thursday called for the release of a national news agency staff who were arrested in Venezuela following anti-government demonstrations.</p> <p>In a statement, the Prime Ministry condemned the detention of three journalists, two Colombian and Spanish, and a driver who were arrested in the capital Caracas on late Wednesday.</p> <p>According to Spain's national news agency EFE, its staffers were arrested when the Bolivarian Intelligence Service, SEBIN, raided the hotel they stayed.</p> <p>Commenting on the incident, Colombian Foreign Minister Carlos Holmes Trujillo said his country &quot;rejects the arbitrary detention of two journalists and a photojournalist of EFE Agency&quot;.</p> <p>&quot;We demand immediate release and respect for their lives,&quot; Trujillo tweeted.</p> <p>Meanwhile, Venezuela's Foreign Minister Jorge Arreaza defended his country's authorities, saying some journalists entered the country without work permits and some sought an access to the presidential palace without any accreditation.</p> <p>&quot;As in any other country in the world, journalists can't assign themselves an accreditation,&quot; Arreaza said on Twitter.</p> <p>Venezuela has been rocked by protests since Jan. 10 when President Maduro was sworn in for a second term following a vote boycott by the opposition. </p> <p>Last week, Juan Guaido, the leader of Venezuela’s opposition-led National Assembly, declared himself president and drew international attention.</p> <p>In the wake of demonstrations and unrest in Venezuela, at least 268 protesters have been arrested across the country since Jan. 21.