Ahead of President Nicolás Maduro's expected inauguration later this week, two U.S. citizens were among a group of seven individuals arrested in Venezuela on January 7. Maduro has branded the detainees as "mercenaries," adding to the tension surrounding his third-term.
During a speech on Tuesday, Maduro claimed that the detained U.S. citizens were "very high level," though he did not provide further details or evidence to substantiate the claims. The arrests have raised questions regarding their potential motivations and the broader political climate in Venezuela.
"Just today we've captured seven foreign mercenaries, including two important mercenaries from the United States," Maduro said, as he prepares to officially take office on Friday. His upcoming inauguration follows a highly disputed election in July 2024, which the opposition claims was rigged, alleging they had won by a landslide.
Despite the public announcement, neither the U.S. Department of State nor Colombia's foreign ministry immediately responded to requests for comment, leaving details about the arrests unclear.
This latest roundup of detainees adds to growing concerns from Venezuelan human rights groups, who have long warned about the country's pattern of arbitrary detentions. These groups have highlighted the troubling trend of a "revolving door" of prisoners, where new arrests occur even as older detainees are released, often including foreign nationals.
Venezuela’s ongoing political crisis, coupled with the strained relations between Maduro's government and Western nations, has fueled tensions within the country. The full details of the arrests remain unclear.
China has strongly criticized U.S. President Donald Trump's recent executive order, which threatens to impose a 25% tariff on all goods imported to the U.S. from any country that imports oil from Venezuela.
U.S. officials defended their decision to deploy extraordinary wartime powers to deport 137 Venezuelan migrants to El Salvador last weekend, despite a federal judge’s temporary block and Venezuelan authorities denying that the individuals were affiliated with criminal gangs.
Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro announced in a televised address on Saturday that his government has reached an agreement with the United States to resume repatriation flights of Venezuelan migrants, with the first flights scheduled to begin on Sunday.
Venezuela has reached an agreement to resume repatriation flights for migrants from the United States, with the first flights scheduled to begin on Sunday, March 23. The move aims to provide a structured return process for Venezuelans wishing to come back to their home country.
Venezuela celebrates the canonization of the so-called "Doctor of the Poor," Jose Gregorio Hernandez. On Tuesday, Pope Francis canonized a physician who died more than 100 years ago, revered for his selfless service during a past pandemic.
The United States has expressed its willingness to form a partnership with Greenland in the event of its independence from Denmark, with Secretary of State Marco Rubio emphasising the need to prevent Chinese influence in the region.
Millions in Myanmar are still reeling from the aftermath of one of the strongest earthquakes in a century, as aid agencies navigate complex challenges to reach those in urgent need of assistance.
Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, and Uzbekistan have partnered with regional banks to launch a clean energy project connecting Central Asia to Europe via the Caspian Sea.
The first Central Asia-EU Summit has strengthened regional ties, focusing on cooperation in counter-terrorism, trade, energy, and climate change. Leaders committed to supporting stability and development, with significant investments planned for infrastructure and sustainability.
Aid groups in Myanmar’s worst-hit areas urgently need shelter, food, and water after a devastating 7.7 magnitude earthquake killed over 2,700 people. Rescue efforts face challenges due to ongoing civil war, damaged infrastructure, and restricted aid access, with the toll expected to rise.
French far-right leader Marine Le Pen was banned from running for public office for five years after being convicted of embezzlement, ruling her out of the 2027 presidential race. She received a four-year prison sentence, with two years suspended, and a €100,000 fine. Le Pen plans to appeal.
The inaugural Samarkand International Climate Forum will kick off on 4th April at the Silk Road Samarkand Congress Center in Uzbekistan. The high-profile forum will be held under the theme "Central Asia Facing Global Climate Challenges: Consolidation for Shared Prosperity."
The Armenian armed forces attempted three reconnaissance drone flights over Azerbaijan Army positions near Gerenzur, but all were successfully intercepted. Meanwhile, Armenian units repeatedly fired on Azerbaijani positions from multiple regions, escalating tensions in the area.
The United States has expressed its willingness to form a partnership with Greenland in the event of its independence from Denmark, with Secretary of State Marco Rubio emphasising the need to prevent Chinese influence in the region.
Millions in Myanmar are still reeling from the aftermath of one of the strongest earthquakes in a century, as aid agencies navigate complex challenges to reach those in urgent need of assistance.
Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, and Uzbekistan have partnered with regional banks to launch a clean energy project connecting Central Asia to Europe via the Caspian Sea.
The first Central Asia-EU Summit has strengthened regional ties, focusing on cooperation in counter-terrorism, trade, energy, and climate change. Leaders committed to supporting stability and development, with significant investments planned for infrastructure and sustainability.
The United States has expressed its willingness to form a partnership with Greenland in the event of its independence from Denmark, with Secretary of State Marco Rubio emphasising the need to prevent Chinese influence in the region.
Millions in Myanmar are still reeling from the aftermath of one of the strongest earthquakes in a century, as aid agencies navigate complex challenges to reach those in urgent need of assistance.
Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, and Uzbekistan have partnered with regional banks to launch a clean energy project connecting Central Asia to Europe via the Caspian Sea.
The first Central Asia-EU Summit has strengthened regional ties, focusing on cooperation in counter-terrorism, trade, energy, and climate change. Leaders committed to supporting stability and development, with significant investments planned for infrastructure and sustainability.
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