Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro claimed Tuesday that his government had detained seven foreign nationals, including two Americans, accusing them of being “mercenaries” plotting to destabilize his administration. The arrests were announced days before Maduro’s scheduled inauguration to a third term, following a disputed election in July.
Maduro alleged that the group, which also included three Ukrainians and two Colombian operatives, was part of a larger scheme to orchestrate attacks against his government. “I am sure that in the next few hours, they will confess,” Maduro said, suggesting the detainees were undergoing interrogation.
The announcement came hours after President Joe Biden hosted Venezuelan opposition leader Edmundo Gonzalez Urrutia at the White House. Biden reiterated U.S. support for democratic reform in Venezuela, declaring Gonzalez the legitimate victor of the July election.
So Rubio has been active behind the scenes:
Venezuelan authorities have arrested seven foreign mercenaries, including Ukrainians and Americans, who were planning to attack the country’s leadership, President Nicolas Maduro has claimed.— CatoTheYounger (@catoletters) January 9, 2025
And from an article on MSN it looks like 3 others of these mercenaries were Ukrainians. Maduro claims they were attempting to prevent his Jan 10 inauguration https://t.co/q7QQZoJlbf
— Liam (@skippah123) January 9, 2025
Maduro’s claims of foreign interference are not new. Over the years, he has frequently accused the U.S. of plotting regime change in Venezuela. On Monday, his government announced the detention of 125 foreign nationals accused of participating in anti-government activities.
🇻🇪 President Maduro: "125 mercenaries from 25 nationalities have already been captured… yesterday 2 Americans, 3 Ukrainians, 2 Colombians… This is a foreign mercenary aggression financed by the outgoing government of the United States."
"We will not stand idly by — ever." pic.twitter.com/5K3kUKkPBw
— COMBATE |🇵🇷 (@upholdreality) January 9, 2025
Human rights groups have raised concerns about Venezuela’s treatment of political detainees, noting an increase in abductions and intimidation against opposition figures. Gonzalez himself reported the recent abduction of his son-in-law by masked agents in Caracas, adding to fears of escalating repression.
🇻🇪 US, Colombian and Ukrainian mercenaries captured in Venezuela
7 foreign mercenaries, including 2 Americans, 2 Colombians, & 3 Ukrainians, were arrested in Venezuela, Venezuelan President Maduro stated, saying that they were of an "unprecedentedly high level" for the country pic.twitter.com/qSDGVetg3u
— COMMUNITY EARTH RADIO🌎 (@COMM_EARTH) January 8, 2025
With Venezuela’s opposition fractured and the military firmly backing Maduro, experts believe efforts to challenge his regime face significant obstacles. Meanwhile, mass protests called for by the opposition are expected to test the public’s resolve amid widespread economic suffering.
