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.
Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro announced Thursday that more than 50 individuals have been arrested in connection with an alleged plot to sabotage the country’s regional and parliamentary elections scheduled for Sunday, May 25.
Venezuela's economy saw a year-over-year growth of 9.3% in the first quarter of 2025, according to the country's central bank. This marks a slight increase compared to the 9.1% growth rate recorded in the same period last year.
The U.S. Supreme Court issued an order early Saturday blocking the deportation of alleged Venezuelan gang members from Texas under the Alien Enemies Act, a wartime law from 1798.
Azerbaijan and Venezuela have reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening bilateral ties, following high-level talks on economic, political, and multilateral cooperation at the Antalya Diplomacy Forum.
Dozens of Venezuelan migrants have been repatriated from the U.S. under a bilateral agreement with Caracas.
Demonstrators marched in Mexico City against a historic vote to elect judges, with critics warning the move could weaken judicial independence and empower political or criminal interests.
An attack at Boulder’s Pearl Street Mall has left multiple victims, with authorities treating the incident as a targeted act of terror.
Exit polls show a razor-thin lead for liberal candidate Rafal Trzaskowski, with official results expected Monday in Poland’s too-close-to-call presidential race.
At least 31 people have died near a southern Gaza aid distribution site, with conflicting accounts from Palestinian officials, the Israeli military, and aid groups over what caused the bloodshed.
A fire at a hospital in Hamburg has left at least three people dead and more than 35 injured, as police investigate a 72-year-old patient in connection with the blaze.
On May 28, the inauguration ceremony of Lachin International Airport was held.
A car drove into crowds of Liverpool fans celebrating the club’s Premier League title in the city centre on Monday evening, injuring dozens including 4 children. A 53-year-old man believed to be the driver was arrested at the scene.
Taxi drivers across France are protesting government plans to cut payments for driving patients to medical appointments. These cuts are part of a broader effort by Prime Minister François Bayrou to save €40 billion in the 2026 budget and reduce the country’s large deficit.
EU ministers have greenlit a massive €150 billion defense investment fund—dubbed the Security Action for Europe (SAFE)—as the bloc ramps up its military readiness in response to Russia’s aggression and growing uncertainty over U.S. security guarantees.
Brazil’s economy is expected to have regained momentum in the first quarter of 2025, driven by a surge in household spending and private investment, according to a Reuters poll of economists conducted from May 21–26.
Bangladesh’s ousted leader Sheikh Hasina is facing trial in absentia over her government’s crackdown on last year’s uprising, with prosecutors accusing her of mass murder and conspiracy.
Israel’s military chief has ordered an expansion of the Gaza ground offensive amid growing warnings of famine and international criticism over aid restrictions.
Demonstrators marched in Mexico City against a historic vote to elect judges, with critics warning the move could weaken judicial independence and empower political or criminal interests.
An attack at Boulder’s Pearl Street Mall has left multiple victims, with authorities treating the incident as a targeted act of terror.
Exit polls show a razor-thin lead for liberal candidate Rafal Trzaskowski, with official results expected Monday in Poland’s too-close-to-call presidential race.
Demonstrators marched in Mexico City against a historic vote to elect judges, with critics warning the move could weaken judicial independence and empower political or criminal interests.
An attack at Boulder’s Pearl Street Mall has left multiple victims, with authorities treating the incident as a targeted act of terror.
Exit polls show a razor-thin lead for liberal candidate Rafal Trzaskowski, with official results expected Monday in Poland’s too-close-to-call presidential race.
At least 31 people have died near a southern Gaza aid distribution site, with conflicting accounts from Palestinian officials, the Israeli military, and aid groups over what caused the bloodshed.
A fire at a hospital in Hamburg has left at least three people dead and more than 35 injured, as police investigate a 72-year-old patient in connection with the blaze.
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