Venezuela Protests Update: Nicolás Maduro Threatens to Expel CNN for Their Coverage of the Protests in Venezuela

President Nicolás Maduro threatened to expel CNN from Venezuelan soil if it doesn't comply to "ratify" the information it has broadcast regarding the wave of political protests in the country.

In a message broadcast through State TV, Venezuela's President said he requested CNN, through his Minister of Communication, to ratify their "war propaganda" which they have broadcast during their special coverage of the political protests, assuring that his government won't tolerate them showing a civil war in Venezuela panorama.

"I have told the Minister (of Communication) to notify CNN that an administrative process to expel them from the country, if they do not ratify, has begun," Maduro said. "CNN is leaving Venezuela! No more war propaganda, I do not tolerate war propaganda against Venezuela, if they do not ratify, CNN is out of Venezuela!" he said.

CNN spokesperson Bridget Leininger told Reuters that the network hadn't received any official notification from Maduro's government in relation to the information broadcast regarding the protests.

Maduro's attitude has caused a backlash of criticism from members of the free press, including Reporters Without Borders and Colombia's NTN24, who have made live coverage of the protests and have shown the violence government groups have exerted against the opposition.

The Minister of Communication assured that NTN24's coverage focused on the "overthrowing of the constitutional government and the promotion of hate and violence among Venezuelans."

The Venezuelan government ordered last week to cancel NTN24's signal in Venezuela while it reported on the clashes between the opposition and Government sympathizers.

Opposition Venezuelans have expressed their anger against what they call an "information shutdown" in the country due to the control the government has on the media - radio and TV are mostly owned by the state - which are limited to showing Maduro as the legitimate successor of Hugo Chávez.

State TV is used by Maduro to broadcast his messages on national television. The President assured repeatedly that the media has sought to destabilize the country.

The opposition has resorted to social networks and Internet channels to keep the population informed of their civil movements.