Maduro Claims US Nationals Among Detained Mercenaries

On January 7, 2025, Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro addressed members of the Bolivarian militia and a fighter force in Caracas.

President Maduro stated that the group consisted of mercenaries and hitmen, describing the two U.S. detainees as highly significant.

Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro has reported the arrest of a group of foreign mercenaries, including citizens from Colombia and the United States, accusing them of planning to sabotage his upcoming inauguration later this week.

Speaking on Tuesday, Maduro alleged that the group was preparing "terrorist acts" ahead of Friday’s ceremony. Among the detainees, he described two as Colombian "hitmen," three as "mercenaries" with combat experience in Ukraine, and two as high-ranking U.S. citizens. However, he provided no further details or evidence to substantiate the claims.

Today, we’ve captured seven foreign mercenaries, including two prominent Americans,” Maduro said during a broadcast on state television. He also announced a nationwide deployment of police and military forces to ensure security. “I am confident that in the coming hours, they will confess, he added.

The arrests reportedly took place in unspecified locations within Venezuela. Maduro, set to begin a third term following last July’s disputed election, also claimed that Venezuelan security forces had detained 125 foreign mercenaries from 25 countries. He accused them of entering the country to carry out acts of terrorism against the Venezuelan people.

Neither the U.S. Department of State nor Colombia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has commented on the allegations.

Maduro, in power since 2013, has a history of accusing the United States of orchestrating plots to overthrow him. In late 2023, Venezuela released dozens of prisoners, including 10 Americans, after months of negotiations with Washington. This exchange coincided with the U.S. releasing Colombian businessman Alex Saab, a close ally of Maduro.

The latest arrests come shortly after U.S. President Joe Biden met with Venezuelan opposition leader Edmundo Gonzalez Urrutia, who has been recognized as president-elect by several governments, including the United States. During their meeting, Biden reiterated his support for a peaceful return to democratic governance in Venezuela and condemned continued repression in the country.

Gonzalez Urrutia, who claims to have won the July presidential election by a significant margin, is touring allied nations to bolster international backing. Meanwhile, opposition leaders in Venezuela have called for mass protests on Thursday to challenge Maduro’s continued rule and prevent his inauguration. However, their efforts face significant challenges.

Maduro and his predecessor, Hugo Chávez, have maintained control over Venezuela for the past 25 years through populist policies, disputed elections, and the backing of the country’s military and paramilitary forces. Despite domestic and international pressure, the regime has remained steadfast, resisting calls for political reform and democratic transition.