Wednesday, January 8, 2025 -Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro announced Tuesday, January 7, the arrest of seven foreigners, including two Americans, accusing them of being "mercenaries" plotting to prevent his inauguration for another six-year term. Maduro claimed the group, which included two Colombian "hitmen" and three "mercenaries" from the Ukraine war, was involved in planning unspecified terrorist acts before his swearing-in ceremony set for Friday. He expressed confidence that the detainees would confess soon and ordered a mass deployment of police and military across the country.
The arrests were revealed hours after U.S. President Joe Biden hosted
exiled Venezuelan opposition candidate Edmundo Gonzalez Urrutia, expressing
support for a "peaceful transfer back to democratic rule" and
cautioning against further repression in Venezuela. The U.S. and several
democratic allies of Venezuela believe Gonzalez Urrutia won the July
presidential election by a landslide but allege the results were falsified.
The Venezuelan opposition has called for mass protests on Thursday to
prevent Maduro’s swearing-in, despite his longstanding grip on power since
succeeding Hugo Chavez in 2013. Chavez and Maduro have ruled Venezuela for a
combined 25 years, maintaining control through disputed elections, populist
measures, and security force loyalty.
In a sign of increasing repression, Maduro's security forces have
detained several foreigners and targeted the families of opposition figures.
Gonzalez Urrutia reported that his son-in-law, Rafael Tudares, was kidnapped
during a school run in Caracas by masked men dressed in black. Tudares remains
missing.
Opposition leader Maria Corina Machado also reported harassment, stating
that agents of the regime surrounded her mother’s home, cut power to the
neighborhood, and flew drones overhead. Her mother, 84, suffers from chronic
health issues.
Security forces, including pro-regime militia members armed with Russian
assault rifles, have been deployed across Caracas. A pro-Maduro rally is also
scheduled for Thursday, January 9, raising tensions further.
Despite widespread discontent and mass emigration driven by economic
collapse, experts suggest the opposition faces significant challenges in
ousting Maduro without military support. Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino
recently reaffirmed the armed forces' loyalty to Maduro after Gonzalez Urrutia
called on them to recognize him as their commander-in-chief.
Meanwhile, millions of Venezuelans have fled the country amid worsening
economic conditions. Nurse Susej Ramos, 30, told AFP that Maduro's reelection
was "the last straw" and confirmed plans to leave Venezuela with her
brother, hoping to reach the United States in search of a better life.
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