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.
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