Security forces in Caracas are reportedly stopping civilians at checkpoints and ordering them to search their WhatsApp chats for the words "Trump," "Maduro" and "invasion," according to Venezuelan news outlet El Pitazo, which cited sources who requested anonymity for fear of reprisals.
These checks are taking place at roadblocks across the capital, the report said, though the sources did not specify which security bodies are involved or the exact locations of the control points. The practice builds on what activists describe as an increasingly common pattern since last year's botched presidential election: cellphone inspections during security operations, now with specific keyword searches added.
