ALBAWABA - According to the Financial Times, the Venezuelan government has canceled the passports of dozens of journalists and activists since President Nicolás Maduro claimed re-election.
At least 40 people, largely journalists and human rights activists, had their passports revoked without explanation, according to the publication, which cited the Caracas-based rights group Laboratorio de Paz.
The organization cautioned that the number of persons whose passports have been invalidated is likely to be substantially higher owing to Venezuelans' fear of reporting incidents, according to the Financial Times.
The newspaper, citing the rights group, reported that many have had their passports taken by police as they attempted to board planes from the nation's principal airport.
According to the newspaper, which cited co-director of the rights organization Rafael Uzcátegui, the administration has discovered that, in contrast to murder or torture, which carry a greater political cost, canceling a passport is an efficient means of neutralizing and silencing critical voices with little effort.
