Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro announced the detention of seven foreign nationals on Tuesday, accusing them of plotting attacks to destabilize his government ahead of his inauguration. Among those arrested are two Americans, whom Maduro described as “very high level” operatives.
The group, which also included three Ukrainians and two Colombians, was allegedly planning “terrorist acts” targeting leaders of Maduro’s administration. “They were captured today in different locations,” Maduro stated, adding that he expected the detainees to confess soon.
The arrests come amid heightened tensions between Venezuela and the United States. On Monday, President Joe Biden hosted Venezuelan opposition leader Edmundo Gonzalez Urrutia, declaring him the legitimate winner of the country’s July election and supporting efforts for a peaceful transfer of power.
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 government has dismissed these claims, accusing foreign powers of interfering in Venezuelan affairs. He announced that his security forces had detained 125 foreign nationals in recent months, alleging they were involved in efforts to undermine his leadership.
🇻🇪 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
The opposition, meanwhile, has called for mass protests to coincide with Maduro’s inauguration, but years of economic collapse and government crackdowns have left many Venezuelans disillusioned. Reports of harassment, including the abduction of Gonzalez’s son-in-law, have further fueled concerns about 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
While Maduro retains the support of the military, his government faces ongoing international criticism and sanctions. The arrests are likely to heighten tensions as Maduro begins his controversial third term.
