Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro revealed late Tuesday that two U.S. citizens have been apprehended along with five other foreign nationals, accusing the group of plotting disruptions against his administration according to Breitbart.
This development marks a continuation of Venezuelan authorities detaining U.S. citizens on what has been often criticized as baseless terrorism charges.
The announcement came as Maduro claimed to have captured "important American mercenaries" who, along with individuals from Colombia and Ukraine, intended to incite turmoil in Venezuela.
The detentions were purportedly steps to thwart any violence around Maduro's upcoming inauguration for a third term, set for January 10.
The Venezuelan leader has yet to disclose the identities of the captives, which include Colombians labeled as "hitmen" and Ukrainians accused of being "mercenaries from the war in Ukraine." Despite these accusations, neither Maduro nor his administration has provided public proof to back their claims.
These arrests are the latest in a series following the questionable presidential election held in late July. An October incident involved four U.S. nationals being charged with plotting cyber-attacks on Venezuelan infrastructure. Similarly, in September, three others were captured and alleged to have affiliations with the CIA.
Venezuela's internal security leader, Diosdado Cabello, asserted that since the election, over 125 foreign "mercenaries" have been detained. Nationals from 25 different countries are reportedly among those held, including an Israeli citizen and Nahuel Gallo, an Argentine enforcing official.
The detention of Gallo has prompted Argentina to lodge complaints with the International Criminal Court, accusing Venezuela of his "forced disappearance." The geopolitical implications have raised considerable concern as international eyes turn to Venezuela’s methods of handling foreign relations.
A report by the Wall Street Journal has suggested that these arrests could be a strategic move by Venezuela to collect foreign detainees as leverage. This speculation is amplified considering Donald Trump’s impending inauguration as President of the United States.
During the tenure of outgoing President Joe Biden, there have been multiple examples where detained Americans were exchanged for Venezuelan nationals held in the U.S. A notable swap in 2022 saw Americans released in return for Maduro’s nephews, previously convicted on drug trafficking charges.
The situation surrounding Venezuelan detention practices took another turn in December 2023 when Alex Saab, previously on trial in the U.S. for laundering millions from Venezuela, was released in exchange for a group of detained Americans. This incident underscores the complex dynamics between the two nations.
Maduro’s recent statements add a dramatic note to the unfolding diplomatic tensions. He suggested that the accused had been caught "with the goods," implying severe intentions against Venezuelan stability. The use of terms such as "terrorist actions" has further amplified international speculation.
Observers across the globe have voiced skepticism about the Venezuelan regime’s repeated arrests under terrorism charges. Critics claim that these detentions are not only unfounded but also serve as a mechanism for applying political pressure on foreign governments.
Many human rights organizations have raised concerns over the treatment of detainees and the legitimacy of the charges against them. Calls for transparency are growing, urging Maduro to present credible evidence in these high-profile cases.
As President Biden's term nears its end, the pressure mounts on his administration to address these human rights concerns diplomatically. Venezuela's pattern of detaining Americans and the implications it holds for international relations cannot be ignored.
