Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro has announced the arrest of seven foreign nationals, including two Americans, accused of being “mercenaries” plotting terrorist acts ahead of his inauguration for a third term this Friday.
Among the detainees are two Colombians and three Ukrainians, whom Maduro described as part of a broader conspiracy.
The announcement came on state television late Tuesday, where Maduro claimed the US citizens were “high level” operatives but provided no further details. Meanwhile, opposition groups maintain that last year’s presidential election was fraudulent, asserting that their candidate, Edmundo Gonzalez Urrutia, won in a landslide.
In Washington, US President Joe Biden extended support to the exiled opposition leader, calling for a peaceful return to democracy in Venezuela and condemning ongoing repression. Opposition leaders have called on millions to join protests aimed at blocking Maduro’s return to power.
As tensions escalate, Maduro has ordered a nationwide deployment of police and military forces to suppress dissent. The US and Colombia are yet to issue statements regarding the arrests.
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