Maduro Claims Arrest Of Foreign Mercenaries Ahead Of Swearing-In
Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro announced the capture of seven foreign nationals on Tuesday, alleging that the group was plotting terrorist activities to disrupt his government. Among those detained are two U.S. citizens, as well as individuals from Ukraine and Colombia.
Maduro described the arrests as part of a broader effort to protect Venezuela’s leadership from foreign-backed aggression. “They planned to carry out attacks on the leaders of the revolution,” he said, adding that he expected confessions from the detainees shortly.
The announcement coincides with mounting international criticism of Maduro’s contested reelection. On Monday, President Joe Biden met with Venezuelan opposition leader Edmundo Gonzalez Urrutia, declaring him the legitimate victor of the July election and urging a peaceful transition to democracy.
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 accusations against foreign actors come amid increased repression at home. Human rights organizations have reported a wave of detentions and harassment targeting opposition figures. Gonzalez recently revealed that his son-in-law had been abducted by masked agents, further fueling concerns about government crackdowns.
🇻🇪 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
While Maduro retains control through the support of the military and security forces, his leadership has faced persistent challenges from domestic protests and international sanctions. The opposition has called for mass demonstrations against his inauguration, though public participation remains uncertain given the climate of fear and economic despair.
🇻🇪 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
The arrests add to Maduro’s claims of foreign interference, which he has frequently used to rally his base and deflect criticism of his administration.