CARACAS – Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro announced the arrest of seven foreigners on Tuesday, including two U.S. citizens, labeling them as “mercenaries” in an ongoing crackdown ahead of his expected inauguration for a third presidential term later this week.
Maduro described the detained Americans as “very high level” but did not disclose further details or evidence regarding their capture.
“Today, we’ve captured seven foreign mercenaries, including two important mercenaries from the United States,” Maduro declared from the Miraflores presidential palace.
He stated that the group also included two Colombians detained in unspecified parts of Venezuela and three individuals allegedly linked to the war in Ukraine. Neither the U.S. Department of State nor Colombia’s foreign ministry has commented on the arrests.
Human rights groups in Venezuela have raised concerns over recurring detentions of foreign nationals, citing a pattern of new arrests even as previous prisoners are released. Late last year, Venezuela freed dozens of detainees, including 10 Americans, following months of negotiations with Washington. Simultaneously, the U.S. released Colombian businessman Alex Saab, a close ally of Maduro.
Maduro claims his security forces have detained 125 “foreign mercenaries” from 25 countries, accusing them of plotting terrorism against the Venezuelan people.
