Venezuela’s President Nicolás Maduro has detained two American citizens, claiming they were part of a group of “mercenaries” plotting to destabilize his regime.
At a Glance
- Maduro announced the arrest of two U.S. citizens among seven alleged “mercenaries”
- The group includes two Americans, two Colombians, and three Ukrainians
- Accusations claim the group intended to create violence before Maduro’s third-term inauguration
- No evidence has been presented to support the charges
- The arrests follow a pattern of detaining Americans on similar accusations
Maduro’s Allegations and Arrests
In a move that has heightened tensions between Venezuela and the United States, President Nicolás Maduro has announced the arrest of two American citizens. The Venezuelan leader claims the individuals were part of a group of “mercenaries” aiming to destabilize his regime as he prepares for his upcoming third term.
The detained group reportedly consists of seven individuals: two Americans, two Colombians, and three Ukrainians. Maduro alleges that these individuals were planning to instigate violence in Venezuela prior to his inauguration. However, the identities of the Americans have not been disclosed, and no evidence has been presented to substantiate the accusations.
#Venezuela: Since the @WSJ's report on the @NicolasMaduro regime's hostage diplomacy, the regime has updated its numbers. @dcabellor says the regime holds more than 100 foreigners.
The regime is using detentions against governments that may opt to deny its democratic legitimacy. https://t.co/b9xtKxdrJY pic.twitter.com/9i9Y0BfK6X
— Ryan Berg, PhD (@RyanBergPhD) January 8, 2025
Pattern of Detentions
This latest incident is not isolated but part of a pattern of arrests targeting U.S. citizens in Venezuela. Since a disputed presidential election, the Maduro regime has been detaining Americans on charges of “terrorism” and plotting against the government. In recent months, four Americans were arrested in October, and three in September, all under similar circumstances.
“We have captured at this hour seven foreign mercenaries, including two important U.S. mercenaries in North America. They are captured. They were caught with the kilos, compadre, of the highest level. Convicted, and I am sure that in the next few hours they will be confessed, they came to carry out terrorist actions against the peace of Venezuela,” Nicolás Maduro said in a statement.
Venezuelan Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello claims that over 125 “mercenaries” have been detained since the election. The arrests have raised suspicions among critics who point to the lack of public evidence and fear the detentions may be aimed at gaining political leverage.
Implications and International Relations
The Maduro regime’s actions have significant implications for international relations, particularly with the United States. There are growing concerns that the Venezuelan government is using foreign detainees as “bargaining chips” in international negotiations. This tactic has been observed in past prisoner swaps with the U.S., where Maduro’s relatives and associates were released in exchange for detained Americans.
Venezuelan regime hunts for foreign hostages to pressure its rivals https://t.co/yFvUe7AVB9
— The Wall Street Journal (@WSJ) January 5, 2025
