In a recent development, Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro has announced the arrest of two American citizens on undisclosed charges, which he alleges are linked to a plot to commit acts of terrorism.
The President, who is preparing to embark on his third term in office despite widespread disapproval of the July election results, made these claims without providing any substantial evidence or specifics regarding the arrests.
"Today, we have apprehended seven foreign mercenaries, including two significant ones from the United States," Maduro stated, as reported by Reuters. Alongside the Americans, two Colombians and three Ukrainians were also taken into custody. Maduro further claimed that his security forces have detained 125 foreign mercenaries from 25 different nations, all of whom, he alleges, entered Venezuela with the intention of "practicing terrorism against the Venezuelan people."
The U.S. State Department has categorically denied these allegations. A spokesperson told Fox News Digital, "Any claims of U.S. involvement in a plot to overthrow Maduro are categorically false." The spokesperson further emphasized the United States' commitment to a democratic resolution to the ongoing political crisis in Venezuela. They warned that Maduro and his associates have a history of detaining and imprisoning U.S. citizens without due process or justification.
The identities of the arrested individuals have not been disclosed due to "privacy and other considerations." The State Department has expressed concern for the detained Americans and is actively seeking more information about the situation. The number of Americans currently held in Venezuela remains uncertain, following a significant prisoner exchange in 2023 between Washington and Caracas.
Maduro's allegations come at a time when opposition presidential candidate Edmundo Gonzalez, who enjoys strong support from Washington, is visiting D.C. Several nations, including the U.S., have recognized Gonzalez as the president-elect. President Biden has reiterated the U.S.'s stance on the election results, dismissing the Maduro-aligned courts' declaration of victory for Maduro and affirming Gonzalez as the "true winner" of the July race.
Venezuelan authorities have not released any ballot-box results to substantiate their claims of victory. In contrast, Gonzalez's team has reportedly published thousands of scanned copies of voting machine results, accounting for 80% of the votes cast, which indicate a win for the opposition leader.
Maduro's accusations of a U.S.-orchestrated coup plot have intensified since his contested election. By September, he was alleging a CIA-led plot to overthrow his government, claiming the seizure of some 400 rifles and the arrest of a Navy SEAL.
Isaias Medina, a former Venezuelan diplomat to the United Nations, views Maduro's latest arrests and comments as consistent with his "hostage diplomacy" approach. Medina told Fox News Digital, "These accusations, widely viewed as baseless, appear to be another ploy to shift attention away from Maduro's illegitimate inauguration and suppress dissent ahead of anticipated protests."
Medina further noted that by implicating foreign nationals in these allegations, Maduro aims to incite fear of external interference and create convenient scapegoats for his failing leadership. He added, "The timing of these charges raises concerns about Maduro's broader strategy. The theatrical accusations serve to justify crackdowns on opposition protests, intimidating Venezuelans into silence as the country sinks deeper into economic and humanitarian crises."
The State Department has classified Venezuela as a Level 4 "do not travel" location due to the security threats Americans face there. This situation underscores the lengths to which Maduro will go to maintain control, despite growing domestic discontent and increasing international calls for accountability.
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