According to WJHL channel 11, A journalist from Meadowview, Virginia is being deported after spending time reporting on whats going on in Venezuela.
Cody Weddle, A 28 year old Meadowview, Virginia native and freelance reporter for WPLG in Miami who has been living in Caracas, Venezuela since June of 2014, had his apartment raided early the morning of March 6'th, and was taken in over accusations of treason, espionage, and removing military artifacts.
According to Sherry Weddle (Cody's mother) the only information she had throughout the day Wednesday was that her son had been abducted from his home at gunpoint, and they had taken his passport, cash, and a large bag, but no information on where he was.
According to him, he was, "held for several hours alone with a ski mask covering his face. Guards searched his cell phone and computer and would sporadically question him about his work."
He also says he wasn't hurt, but was still a little shaken up by the whole thing.
He said it was clear they didn't like his reporting, and they were interested in a story he did about the current atmosphere in the armed forces in Venezuela.
Now that he is back in America, He had this to say in a FaceBook post.
@zaxan, If you have anything to add, or want to share any news from there in the comments, feel free. I believe you live in, or near Caracas don't you?
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thanks for the tag appalachain, this kind of situation are still happen to much people. Press teams have been deported out of the country, workers from various areas have been thrown out of their jobs or put in prison for spreading the truth.
Freedom of speech no longer exists here. The only way to say something is the social networks, an also you have a 90% chance of get arrested is someone find you.
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I had thought about reaching out to Cody about Steemit, and the Venezuelan community here, but I decided it best not to do publicly on Facebook. I had a feeling the government there wouldn't appreciate online criticism. I know Steem has been at least some help to you guys, and I hope it continues to be. I'll keep trying to come up with a way to get in touch with him privately. Thanks for the input! God be with y'all.
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ty appalachain! hope steem community can continue supporting us in this situation. Thanks ♥
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There's also @cryptosharon, @volderhein, and several other Steemians in Venezuela as well. And if anyone else knows who else to follow, let me know. We've got something great here in that we can share information through the Steem blockchain.
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We really do! I come here for news more than anywhere.
@jennimorillo always has tasty looking food, and good information.
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Followed.
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