Freed Journalist Recuperates With Family in Gran Canaria
Journalist Miguel Moreno Dapena is recovering in Gran Canaria surrounded by his family, after arriving on the island last night following 209 days of captivity in Venezuela. He was freed in the South American country this Thursday alongside four other Spaniards. “Miguel has been home since last night, he is well, but he needs peace and to be able to rest for a few days,” his mother, María Jesús Dapena, told the Efe news agency this Saturday.
His family has asked for understanding after the ordeal he has been through and thanked everyone for their interest, solidarity, and affection. They have also requested time for Miguel to recuperate and have assured that he will speak to all media outlets at a later date, when it is possible.
Journey Home to the Canary Islands
Miguel Moreno arrived in Madrid this Friday with the rest of the Spaniards released in Venezuela, and from there he flew to Gran Canaria, arriving late in the evening. Alongside Moreno, the Basques José María Basoa and Andrés Martínez Adasme, the Valencian Ernesto Gorbe Cardona, and the Spanish-Venezuelan Rocío San Miguel also regained their freedom this week. They all arrived in Madrid on Friday before travelling on to their respective homes.
Detention of the Marine Exploration Vessel
The young Canary Islander was detained in June 2025 when Venezuela intercepted the marine exploration ship he was working on. The vessel was dedicated to searching for wrecks of ships sunk during the Second World War in a maritime zone that Venezuela claims as its own, with authorities alleging “very suspicious” behaviour.
Miguel Moreno Dapena, 34, had been working on the N35, a marine exploration ship flying a Panamanian flag, with a Dutch captain and a Belgian company (Seatec). At the time of its interception, it was operating in the Caribbean near the eastern coast of Venezuela. After twelve days under surveillance, the N35 was seized on 13th June by the Bolivarian National Armed Force 50 miles (92 km) from the Orinoco delta. The Venezuelan Defence Minister, Vladimir Padrino, reported five days later that the ship was conducting “scientific research” with “very suspicious” behaviour in the country’s exclusive economic zone.
Lost Communication and Family Campaign
On 19th June, in his last communication with his parents, Miguel Moreno said that the Venezuelan Navy officers had been very kind to them. From that moment, Moreno Dapena was held in El Rodeo prison and all communication with him was lost. His eight crewmates were also detained: the Dutch captain and his wife, three Honduran sailors, a Panamanian, an Indonesian, and a Hungarian crew member.
From that point, Moreno Dapena’s family began an intense campaign to secure his release, even appealing to the United Nations. As part of these efforts, on 23rd December last year, the Spanish Prime Minister, Pedro Sánchez, received relatives of Moreno Dapena and of José María Basoa and Andrés Martínez Adasme at La Moncloa. The detention of the two Bilbao natives had been announced by the Venezuelan government on 14th September 2024 amid escalating tensions with Spain following the arrival in Madrid of opposition leader Edmundo González.
Background in Journalism
Before ending his career as a journalist, Miguel Moreno Dapena had worked for media outlets including ‘La Provincia’, ‘Expansión’, and ‘Sport’. He had previously trained on the Master’s in International Journalism run by the UNED (National University of Distance Education) and the EFE news agency in 2015.
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