Two U.S. citizens have been arrested in Venezuela on charges related to alleged terrorism activities, as claimed by President Nicolas Maduro. Maduro stated that these Americans, along with five others, were arrested as part of a group of foreign mercenaries. The charges against the individuals remain unclear, with Maduro accusing them of planning to 'practice terrorism against the Venezuelan people.'
Maduro's claims were met with skepticism by the U.S. State Department, which firmly denied any U.S. involvement in a plot to overthrow the Venezuelan government. The department emphasized its support for a democratic resolution to the political crisis in Venezuela and expressed concern for the detained Americans.
The identities of the arrested individuals have not been disclosed for privacy reasons. The State Department is actively working to gather more information about the situation. It is uncertain how many Americans are currently detained in Venezuela following a previous prisoner swap in 2023.
Maduro's accusations come amidst a backdrop of contested election results in Venezuela. President Biden has reiterated the U.S.'s support for opposition candidate Edmundo Gonzalez, who has been declared the president-elect by several nations. Maduro's claims of a coup plot orchestrated by the U.S. have escalated since the disputed election, with accusations of CIA involvement and arrests of alleged conspirators.
Experts have criticized Maduro's actions as part of a pattern of 'hostage diplomacy' aimed at suppressing dissent and diverting attention from his leadership challenges. The State Department has issued a Level 4 travel advisory for Venezuela due to security threats faced by Americans in the country.
