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“Mami, please delete the chat.”
“Son, it will be recorded.”
“Please delete the conversation before you leave.”
Recent WhatsApp messages from a Venezuelan family who asked to remain anonymous for fear of retaliation highlight the vigilance civilians are using in everyday conversations, social media and text messages as the government expands its crackdown on dissent.
Since authorities declared a state of emergency following the U.S. attack in Caracas that led to the detention of President Nicolás Maduro, there have been increasing reports that the government is searching civilians’ cellphones for political content critical of the government.
Authorities have set up more checkpoints on the streets of the capital and other parts of the country, saying they are necessary to strengthen national security amid political tensions. Some are fixed, usually located in security zones or near public institutions, while others are mobile. Police officers stop drivers, ask where they are going, search the vehicle, and often use their cell phones.
Phone searches are not new, but testimonies collected by CNN show such measures have increased since the government declared a state of emergency after the January 3 attack on the United States.
The decree allows authorities to take extraordinary measures, but does not spell out the scope, criteria, or whether they will limit citizens’ rights and freedoms, such as protecting privacy in communications.
Meanwhile, Article 48 of the Venezuelan Constitution states: “The confidentiality and inviolability of all forms of private communications are guaranteed. They may not be interfered with, except in accordance with the provisions of the law, by order of a competent court, and in order to maintain the confidentiality of private matters not related to the corresponding legal proceedings.”
Nevertheless, CNN spoke to several Venezuelans who had their phones searched in recent weeks. For this reason, many people speak in code, avoid mentioning political leaders, constantly delete content from their phones, and refuse to express their opinions in WhatsApp groups.
Ever since President Maduro was detained by the United States, the daily lives of ordinary Venezuelans have been filled with uncertainty.
It is unclear who exactly is in charge of this country. US President Donald Trump claims he is “running” Venezuela, but Maduro’s former deputy and current acting president, Delcy Rodriguez, pushed back on Sunday, saying “enough is enough” of US orders.
Still, there is no sign yet that she is planning an election that would legitimize her rule. Meanwhile, the economy is still in crisis and the prices of basic products are fluctuating daily.
For anyone who might be seen as criticizing the government, one thing is certain: they need to take precautions when venturing out into the streets.
“This afternoon we received a statement from the Neighborhood Community Council and advised us to be careful about what we say on WhatsApp and in writing,” reads one group message seen by CNN.
Another message was from a family member outside the country who said they wanted to go to Venezuela. The relative replied, “The situation is complicated now, so we should stop.”
In response to another family member’s insistence that they travel anyway, I suggested deleting their social media accounts and creating a new Google account. CNN has confirmed that inbound travelers’ mobile phones will also be screened upon arrival at the airport.
At the request of their loved ones, family members from other countries told CNN that they too avoid political conversations and communicate with relatives in Venezuela using slang on their cell phones.
long-standing situation
Even before the fall of Maduro’s regime, routine checkpoints can become a nightmare for civilians.
This is what one chef experienced last April. The cook, who asked to remain anonymous for fear of retribution, said he was forced to stop just short of a bridge in western Caracas by SEBIN intelligence agents as he left home on his way to work that day. They did not ask for any documents or identification.
The first question was about his work. “Head chef,” he answered. The second question was about politics. “Are you Guarinbero?” they asked, using a term coined by the government to refer pejoratively to anti-government protesters. He answered that he was a chef and claimed that he worked as a head chef.
He even told his agent that having recently become a father, he just wanted to go to work and get home soon to see his newborn daughter. But instead of letting him go, they said they would search his car and cell phone.
After authorities asked him to unlock his phone, he entered keywords such as “guarimba” (street protests) and names such as Diosdado Cabello and Nicolás Maduro into a chat search.
The cook told CNN that he had a habit of reading and deleting political content because some of his friends were going through similar situations, but he did keep a photo of him with opposition leader Maria Colina Machado somewhere in his photo gallery. When I typed “maduro” into a WhatsApp search, only recipes using plantains or ripe tomatoes (maduro means ripe in English) appeared. And in the photo gallery, I could only find pictures of the food and my daughter.
The exhaustive search lasted about an hour “between threatening messages and similar suspicious questions,” he recalls. During the vehicle inspection, one of the officers showed interest in the motorcycle’s accessories that were in the truck. “Please stop. I don’t even have a bike anymore,” the cook gestured to end the situation. Shortly after, they gave him the signal to depart.
As I started, I looked in my rearview mirror and saw other cars lined up waiting to be searched. Still, he drove away, feeling a mixture of fear and resignation.
This experience influenced him so much that he now avoids political topics altogether. Now, he says, if he receives a message on that topic, he asks to change the subject, deletes the text, and immediately empties the chat. Due to the increased number of checkpoints, people are avoiding going out alone, especially at night. He also believes having tattoos will attract the attention of police officers. In less than six months, his house has already been searched three times.
Journalists also experienced a similar situation in December. After drinking coffee with a colleague in broad daylight, the reporter, who did not want to be identified for fear of reprisal, said he was driving along the country club route to El Bosque in eastern Caracas when he encountered a police checkpoint stopping all cars passing through the area. This is the route reporters usually take when using the “greenway,” an alternative way to avoid traffic.
The process started with the usual requests for documents, ID, driver’s license, etc. But then they turned their attention to his wallet, he says. He recalls that when he opened it, a small folded piece of paper fell out and immediately felt a change in the atmosphere. Officers suspected he was in possession of marijuana and decided to conduct a more thorough search.
I was excited. Officers requested the cellphone and began searching it, looking for keywords in the chats, signs of drug use, and anything else that could be connected to foul play. The journalist said he did not have marijuana or other drugs in his car.
Fortunately, he says, the officers did not specify his occupation and there was no politically charged language that could have revealed conversations with superiors, sources or colleagues during the search. But during the nearly hour-long search, he felt the fear, became extremely nervous and desperately wanted to get out of the situation as soon as possible. When he heard the phrase “Whatever you want to contribute, it’s fine,” he knew the episode was over. He handed me a $50 bill from his wallet and went home.
This episode still influences his daily decisions. He has left several WhatsApp groups and frequently deletes content from his phone. Currently, I avoid going out at night, limit my outings during the day, and only leave the house when necessary.
hidden tension and fear
Both said they were surprised by the checkpoint, but not surprised by the situation, given that such measures are becoming more and more frequent.
Many civilians have reported phone inspections on social media, which sometimes result in threats, extortion, and even detention. Many of the claims are made by men, who say authorities often demand payment in exchange for allowing drivers to continue. Security forces search women even if they have children. All accounts agree that operatives are looking for political content, especially terms like “invasion,” “Trump,” and “Maduro.” However, private and even intimate material was revealed during the search, leading to complaints that the practice violated constitutional protections of private life.
CNN has contacted the Ministry of Interior, which oversees most of these checkpoints, but has not yet received a response.
Asked by journalists about the issue, Maracaibo Mayor Giancarlo Di Martino said on January 17 that mobile phone tests are “totally prohibited, and police officers who abuse their authority must be reported.”
Some people do not have a clear understanding of their individual rights, including the right to privacy. Others know of them but are afraid of being detained if they try to exercise them.
The non-governmental organization Espacio Público is sharing recommendations on social media for those who encounter inspections. Ask the police officer to provide any necessary court orders to authorize the search, note the agent’s name and organization in case there is no court order, have at least two witnesses if possible, and encrypt phone data.
