Venezuela unblocks some news sites as transition talks resume

Venezuela’s telecom regulator announced Thursday that the government has restored access to a number of news websites that had been censored for years, a move that comes as U.S.-backed political transition talks are set to resume. The decision was presented as part of a broader effort to ease information controls ahead of the negotiations, which aim to chart a path for a democratic transition in the country.

According to the digital‑rights organization VE Sin Filtro, verification tests across several internet service providers confirmed that 17 previously blocked news sites are now reachable. The group also reported that at least 188 websites remain inaccessible, including 79 news outlets, underscoring that the unblocking represents only a partial relaxation of the long‑standing censorship regime.

The limited reopening of online news sources highlights a tentative shift in Venezuela’s media policy, but the continued blockage of a substantial number of sites suggests that significant restrictions persist. Analysts note that the outcome of the upcoming talks could determine whether further openings are forthcoming or if the current level of control will remain in place.