ベネズエラ政府は2月15日、イラクのベネズエラ大使館でパスポート詐欺があったという疑惑を報じたCNNの放送を禁止した。
ベネズエラ国家電気通信委員会は声明で、CNNのラテンアメリカ向け放送局「CNNエスパニョール」（CNNE）が「ベネズエラ国民の平和と民主主義の安定を脅かそうとした」と述べた。BBCによると、ベネズエラ政府は15日早朝の記者会見でパスポート詐欺の報道に触れたという。
ベネズエラ政府の制裁は、2月6日のCNNEの報道に端を発している。CNNEは、ベネズエラ政府がイラクのベネズエラ大使館でテロに関連する疑いのある個人にパスポートとビザを販売した可能性があると報じた。その中には、レバノンのイスラム教シーア派武装集団「ヒズボラ」のような組織も含まれていた。CNNEによると、ビザ購入者はベネズエラの政府関係者とコネクションがあったという。
ベネズエラのパスポートには、日本を含め約130カ国でビザが免除される利点がある（アメリカ合衆国はその中に含まれていない）。
CNNEは2月15日の声明で報道を擁護した。声明は次の通り。
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CNNエスパニョールには重要な役割があると信じています。報道の自由は、健全な民主主義の中で可能となります。今週水曜日、2月15日にベネズエラ政府は私たちのテレビ放送を禁止しました。政府は、ベネズエラ国民が私たちのテレビ局から情報とニュースを得ることを否定しています。20年間信頼されていたものを否定したのです。
CNNエスパニョールは、今後もベネズエラの視聴者に深く貢献していきます。テレビ放送はYouTubeとウェブサイトCNNEspanol.comで無料で視聴できます。他では得られない情報にアクセスできるようになっています。
CNNは、CNNエスパニョールの報道関係者としての業務と、真実と透明性への責任を擁護します。
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ハフィントンポストUS版より翻訳・加筆しました。
▼画像集が開きます
ベネズエラの大規模デモ
Protest against President Nicolas Maduro in Caracas(01 of23)
CARACAS, VENEZUELA - SEPTEMBER 1: Opposition supporters take part in a march to demand to The National Election Council (CNE) the realization of a recall referendum against Presiden Nicolas Maduro in Av Francisco de Miranda Caracas on September 1st, 2016. (Photo by Carlos Becerra/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images) (credit:Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)
VENEZUELA-OPPOSITION-MARCH(02 of23)
Venezuelan police in riot gear face demonstrators before an opposition march in Caracas, on September 1, 2016.\nVenezuela\'s opposition and government head into a crucial test of strength Thursday with massive marches for and against a referendum to recall President Nicolas Maduro that have raised fears of a violent confrontation. / AFP / FEDERICO PARRA (Photo credit should read FEDERICO PARRA/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:FEDERICO PARRA via Getty Images)
As Many As 1 Million Venezuelans Expected To March In Opposition Protest(03 of23)
Venezuelan police stand ahead of an opposition march in Caracas, Venezuela, on Thursday, Sept. 1, 2016. Venezuela\'s opposition is marching in Caracas to pressure the government to hold a recall referendum against President Nicolas Maduros rule. Photographer: Carlos Becerra/Bloomberg via Getty Images (credit:Bloomberg via Getty Images)
As Many As 1 Million Venezuelans Expected To March In Opposition Protest(04 of23)
Lilian Tintori, wife of imprisoned opposition leader Leopoldo Lopez, top center, addresses opposition supporters during a protest in Caracas, Venezuela, on Thursday, Sept. 1, 2016. Venezuela\'s opposition marched today in Caracas to pressure government to hold recall referendum against President Nicolas Maduros rule. Photographer: Carlos Becerra/Bloomberg via Getty Images (credit:Bloomberg via Getty Images)
GUATEMALA-VENEZUELA-PROTEST(05 of23)
Venezuelan citizens protest in the vicinity of the Venezuelan embassy in Guatemala asking for a recall referendum against President Nicolas Maduro, in Guatemala City on September 1,2016. / AFP / JOHAN ORDONEZ (Photo credit should read JOHAN ORDONEZ/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:JOHAN ORDONEZ via Getty Images)
GUATEMALA-VENEZUELA-PROTEST(06 of23)
Venezuelan citizens protest in the vicinity of the Venezuelan embassy in Guatemala asking for a recall referendum against President Nicolas Maduro, in Guatemala City on September 1,2016. / AFP / JOHAN ORDONEZ (Photo credit should read JOHAN ORDONEZ/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:JOHAN ORDONEZ via Getty Images)
Protest against President Nicolas Maduro in Caracas(07 of23)
CARACAS, VENEZUELA - SEPTEMBER 1: Opposition supporters take part in a march to demand to The National Election Council (CNE) the realization of a recall referendum against Presiden Nicolas Maduro in Avenida Libertador in Caracas on September 1st, 2016. (Photo by Carlos Becerra/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images) (credit:Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)
As Many As 1 Million Venezuelans Expected To March In Opposition Protest(08 of23)
Venezuelan police stand ahead of an opposition march in Caracas, Venezuela, on Thursday, Sept. 1, 2016. Venezuela\'s opposition is marching in Caracas to pressure the government to hold a recall referendum against President Nicolas Maduros rule. Photographer: Carlos Becerra/Bloomberg via Getty Images (credit:Bloomberg via Getty Images)
VENEZUELA-OPPOSITION-MARCH(09 of23)
Venezuelan police face demonstrators before an opposition march in Caracas, on September 1, 2016.\nVenezuela\'s opposition and government head into a crucial test of strength Thursday with massive marches for and against a referendum to recall President Nicolas Maduro that have raised fears of a violent confrontation. / AFP / FEDERICO PARRA (Photo credit should read FEDERICO PARRA/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:FEDERICO PARRA via Getty Images)
As Many As 1 Million Venezuelans Expected To March In Opposition Protest(10 of23)
A opposition supporter holds a Venezuelan flag with an image of the Virgin Mother during a protest in Caracas, Venezuela, on Thursday, Sept. 1, 2016. Venezuela\'s opposition marched today in Caracas to pressure government to hold recall referendum against President Nicolas Maduros rule. Photographer: Wil Riera/Bloomberg via Getty Images (credit:Bloomberg via Getty Images)
GUATEMALA-VENEZUELA-PROTEST(11 of23)
Venezuelan citizens protest in the vicinity of the Venezuelan embassy in Guatemala asking for a recall referendum against President Nicolas Maduro, in Guatemala City on September 1,2016. / AFP / JOHAN ORDONEZ (Photo credit should read JOHAN ORDONEZ/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:JOHAN ORDONEZ via Getty Images)
VENEZUELA-OPPOSITION-MARCH(12 of23)
Demonstrators dismantle an old car carcass to make a barricade during a march of opposers in Caracas, on September 1, 2016.\nVenezuela\'s opposition and government head into a crucial test of strength Thursday with massive marches for and against a referendum to recall President Nicolas Maduro that have raised fears of a violent confrontation. / AFP / FEDERICO PARRA (Photo credit should read FEDERICO PARRA/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:FEDERICO PARRA via Getty Images)
GUATEMALA-VENEZUELA-PROTEST(13 of23)
Venezuelan citizens protest in the vicinity of the Venezuelan embassy in Guatemala asking for a recall referendum against President Nicolas Maduro, in Guatemala City on September 1,2016. / AFP / JOHAN ORDONEZ (Photo credit should read JOHAN ORDONEZ/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:JOHAN ORDONEZ via Getty Images)
As Many As 1 Million Venezuelans Expected To March In Opposition Protest(14 of23)
Crowds of opposition supporters march during a protest in Caracas, Venezuela, on Thursday, Sept. 1, 2016. Venezuela\'s opposition marched today in Caracas to pressure government to hold recall referendum against President Nicolas Maduros rule. Photographer: Wil Riera/Bloomberg via Getty Images (credit:Bloomberg via Getty Images)
Protest against President Nicolas Maduro in Caracas(15 of23)
CARACAS, VENEZUELA - SEPTEMBER 1: Opposition supporter waves Venezuelan flag at the top of a building in the Av. Francisco de Miranda while people march to demand to The National Election Council (CNE) the realization of a recall referendum against Presiden Nicolas Maduro in Av Francisco de Miranda Caracas on September 1st, 2016. (Photo by Carlos Becerra/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images) (credit:Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)
As Many As 1 Million Venezuelans Expected To March In Opposition Protest(16 of23)
Police clash with opposition supporters at Francisco Fajardo highway during a protest in Caracas, Venezuela, on Thursday, Sept. 1, 2016. Venezuelans took to the streets of Caracas in support of a recall vote against President Nicolas Maduro in the biggest display of discontent with the government\'s mishandling of the country\'s economy since a wave of protests in 2014. Photographer: Manu Quintero/Bloomberg via Getty Images (credit:Bloomberg via Getty Images)
As Many As 1 Million Venezuelans Expected To March In Opposition Protest(17 of23)
An opposition supporter clashes with police, not pictured, at Francisco Fajardo highway during a protest in Caracas, Venezuela, on Thursday, Sept. 1, 2016. Venezuelans took to the streets of Caracas in support of a recall vote against President Nicolas Maduro in the biggest display of discontent with the government\'s mishandling of the country\'s economy since a wave of protests in 2014. Photographer: Manu Quintero/Bloomberg via Getty Images (credit:Bloomberg via Getty Images)
As Many As 1 Million Venezuelans Expected To March In Opposition Protest(18 of23)
Opposition supporters clash with police at Francisco Fajardo highway during a protest in Caracas, Venezuela, on Thursday, Sept. 1, 2016. Venezuelans took to the streets of Caracas in support of a recall vote against President Nicolas Maduro in the biggest display of discontent with the government\'s mishandling of the country\'s economy since a wave of protests in 2014. Photographer: Manu Quintero/Bloomberg via Getty Images (credit:Bloomberg via Getty Images)
As Many As 1 Million Venezuelans Expected To March In Opposition Protest(19 of23)
Protesters set a truck on fire on the Francisco Fajardo highway during protests in Caracas, Venezuela, on Thursday, Sept. 1, 2016. Venezuelans took to the streets of Caracas in support of a recall vote against President Nicolas Maduro in the biggest display of discontent with the government\'s mishandling of the country\'s economy since a wave of protests in 2014. Photographer: Wil Riera//Bloomberg via Getty Images (credit:Bloomberg via Getty Images)
As Many As 1 Million Venezuelans Expected To March In Opposition Protest(20 of23)
A protester walks across the Francisco Fajardo highway in Caracas, Venezuela, on Thursday, Sept. 1, 2016. Venezuelans took to the streets of Caracas in support of a recall vote against President Nicolas Maduro in the biggest display of discontent with the government\'s mishandling of the country\'s economy since a wave of protests in 2014. Photographer: Wil Riera//Bloomberg via Getty Images (credit:Bloomberg via Getty Images)
Protest against President Nicolas Maduro in Caracas(21 of23)
CARACAS, VENEZUELA - SEPTEMBER 1: Protesters clash with the riot police after the opposition supporters\' march to demand to The National Election Council (CNE) the realization of a recall referendum against President Nicolas Maduro in Caracas, Venezuela on September 1, 2016. (Photo by Carlos Becerra/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images) (credit:Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)
Protest against President Nicolas Maduro in Caracas(22 of23)
CARACAS, VENEZUELA - SEPTEMBER 1: Police use tear gas to disperse protesters who clash with the riot police after the opposition supporters\' march to demand to The National Election Council (CNE) the realization of a recall referendum against President Nicolas Maduro in Caracas, Venezuela on September 1, 2016. (Photo by Carlos Becerra/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images) (credit:Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)
Protest against President Nicolas Maduro in Caracas(23 of23)
CARACAS, VENEZUELA - SEPTEMBER 1: Protesters clash with the riot police after the opposition supporters\' march to demand to The National Election Council (CNE) the realization of a recall referendum against President Nicolas Maduro in Caracas, Venezuela on September 1, 2016. (Photo by Carlos Becerra/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images) (credit:Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)
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