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 　　WASHINGTON — Outside of Latin America theanti-government street protests in Venezuelahave been receiving relatively little newscoverage, especially when compared to thecrisis in Ukraine. Even though the SouthAmerican nation is a major oil producer, and itsdeteriorating economic and political stabilitycould affect the world, restrictions on the pressand a seeming lack of engagement by U.S.officials are keeping Venezuela out of theheadlines.

　　Demonstrations in Venezuela that often turn into violent and deadly confrontations with police,the National Guard and pro-government militias have been going on for weeks.

　　This situation is similar to the crisis in Ukraine that forced President Viktor Yanukovych to fleethe country and culminated in Russia’s takeover of Crimea.

　　Venezuela is getting less international media attention, in part, however, because itsgovernment has refused or revoked journalist visas, and made it difficult and dangerous forreporters.

　　Cynthia Romero, who is with the Freedom Forum, a press freedom organization, said "There areseveral cases of intimidation, of attacks, not only of journalists, local journalists, but also asinternational journalists, which also makes it very difficult for the international press to get thenews out about what is happening.”

　　The United States and Europe are engaging in high-level diplomatic talks with Russia andUkraine to try to resolve the regional conflict. Romero said Washington is not as engaged inVenezuela, which has led to less media coverage.

　　“We do not have key officials within the U.S. and European policy circles, key opinion shapersreally talking about Venezuela the way they are talking about Ukraine, and so I think that alsodrives the media attention,” she said.

　　Republican Senator Marco Rubio asked Secretary of State John Kerry why the United States hasnot spoken out forcefully against the Venezuelan government’s repression of oppositiongroups.

　　“Why can’t we just say what is obvious to anyone who sees these facts that the governmentof Venezuela is not and does not comport itself as a democracy, and in fact because of all ofthese activities and others, and violence against their own people have lost the legitimacy of agovernment,” said Rubio.

　　Washington has dismissed repeated charges by Venezuela’s leaders that it is aiding theprotesters. Kerry said U.S. involvement in resolving the crisis could be misconstrued andbelieves regional organizations should lead international efforts.

　　“We are very supportive of third-party mediation efforts that are aimed at trying to end theviolence and see if we can not get it [to] an honest dialogue to address the legitimategrievances of people in Venezuela,” said Kerry.

　　This less confrontational approach, however, also makes less news for the media to cover.

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