La Patilla director Rory Branker acquitted and released after a year in prison
The Second Court of Trial with Competence in Terrorism handed down an acquittal verdict for Rory Branker, director of La Patilla, on 2 October.
Branker regains full freedom following acquittal on terrorism charges
The Second Court of Trial with Competence in Terrorism handed down an acquittal verdict on 2 October in favour of Rory Branker, director of the news media outlet La Patilla, according to elestimulo.com. The decision brings an end to more than a year of restrictions that included periodic court appearances and a prohibition on leaving the country.
Branker had been charged in February 2025 with the offences of treason, financing terrorism, conspiracy, terrorism and criminal association. The reason: the publication on his X account of a photograph showing the rewards offered by the United States for the capture of Nicolás Maduro and other senior officials of his government.
The National Union of Press Workers (SNTP) indicated that the case file mentioned that image as one of the formal reasons for his detention.
After spending nearly a year deprived of liberty, Branker had been released in February 2026 but remained under coercive measures. "Until today, when the acquittal verdict brings an end to those restrictions and restores his full freedom," the SNTP stated.
At the hearing, the journalist was assisted by Yoel García, a lawyer and collaborator with the Press Union. The prosecutor requested the acquittal verdict from the start of the proceedings.
Source: Google News VE — Crime