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.
Speaking at a political rally in Caracas, Maduro claimed that the detainees had been involved in plans to incite violence and plant explosives ahead of the vote. He described the group as “mercenaries” and said they were attempting to disrupt the democratic process through coordinated attacks.
“These individuals were preparing bombings and acts of violence,” Maduro said. “Thanks to the swift and professional actions of our security forces and national army, we have thwarted these efforts and ensured peace in the republic.”
Maduro, who was sworn in for a third term in January, urged citizens to turn out and vote, framing the election as a critical step in defending national sovereignty and stability.
On Sunday, Venezuelans will elect 285 members of parliament, 24 state governors, and 260 regional legislators. The vote is being closely watched amid ongoing economic hardship and political tension in the country.
The government has yet to release further details about the identities or affiliations of the detainees. However, Maduro indicated that legal proceedings would follow, with the judiciary expected to bring charges against those involved in what he labeled a “broader sabotage operation.”
The arrests come against a backdrop of long-standing political unrest, with Maduro’s government frequently accusing opposition groups and foreign actors of attempting to destabilize the country. Critics, meanwhile, have accused the administration of using such claims to justify crackdowns on dissent.
Observers will be monitoring Sunday’s election for both security and transparency amid concerns over political freedoms and electoral fairness in the oil-rich but crisis-stricken South American nation.
A U.S. federal judge ruled Wednesday that hundreds of Venezuelans deported to El Salvador under an 18th-century wartime law must be granted the right to challenge their detention—dealing a blow to the Trump administration’s controversial immigration crackdown.
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.
The U.S. military has repositioned aircraft and naval vessels from key Middle East installations to safeguard personnel and assets amid rising tensions with Iran, two U.S. officials said on Wednesday.
The United States has resumed processing student visa applications but now requires foreign applicants to disclose their social media profiles for scrutiny, as part of a broader national security directive.
North Korea launched over 10 rockets from near Pyongyang on Thursday, prompting fresh concerns in the region.
The U.S. Federal Reserve left its benchmark interest rate unchanged on Wednesday at 4.25%–4.50%, while maintaining its projection for two rate cuts by the end of 2025.
KazMunayGas (KMG) and China’s Sinopec have reached an agreement on the terms for jointly implementing the Berezovski subsoil use project in Kazakhstan’s West Kazakhstan region. The signed documents outline joint activities and formalize the strategic partnership between the two companies.
Peace is no longer a dream. It is a discussion. On the streets of Baku and Yerevan, it is also a question, of trust, of foreign interests, and of who truly wants it.
Israeli strikes have reportedly targeted areas near the residences of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and President Masoud Pezeshkian, according to the New York Times, citing local witnesses.
Azerbaijan Airlines (AZAL) has cancelled certain flights scheduled for 13th and 14th June amid recent escalation of situation in the Middle East and the closure of airspace in several countries for security reasons.
The 2025 G7 Leaders’ Summit was held June 15–17 in Kananaskis, Alberta, under Canada’s presidency. Prime Minister Mark Carney framed the meeting around priorities of protecting communities, energy and climate security, the digital transition, and future partnerships.
Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief: here are the top news stories for June 17th, covering the latest developments you need to know.
Iran's foreign minister is expected in Istanbul on Saturday for a key Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) council meeting as regional tensions rise over Israel's strikes on Iranian nuclear sites.
The World Bank has approved a $640 million loan to Bangladesh to help improve gas supply security and reduce dangerous air pollution in urban areas.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Thursday that Ukraine “will have to understand and accept” the post-war realities, as Moscow signals openness to a third round of peace negotiations with Kyiv.
More than 2 million Syrian refugees and internally displaced persons have returned to their homes since December, according to the UN refugee agency, which emphasized the urgent need for a political resolution to prevent renewed instability.
As the massive pink-hulled container ship ONE Modern pulls into the Port of Hong Kong, its crew rushes to offload more than 700 containers within a tight 10-hour window.
The U.S. military has repositioned aircraft and naval vessels from key Middle East installations to safeguard personnel and assets amid rising tensions with Iran, two U.S. officials said on Wednesday.
The United States has resumed processing student visa applications but now requires foreign applicants to disclose their social media profiles for scrutiny, as part of a broader national security directive.
North Korea launched over 10 rockets from near Pyongyang on Thursday, prompting fresh concerns in the region.
The U.S. Federal Reserve left its benchmark interest rate unchanged on Wednesday at 4.25%–4.50%, while maintaining its projection for two rate cuts by the end of 2025.
KazMunayGas (KMG) and China’s Sinopec have reached an agreement on the terms for jointly implementing the Berezovski subsoil use project in Kazakhstan’s West Kazakhstan region. The signed documents outline joint activities and formalize the strategic partnership between the two companies.
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