Detention of Alleged Mercenaries in Venezuela
Venezuela’s Minister of the Interior, Diosdado Cabello, announced the detention of 125 individuals, referred to as “mercenaries,” who are accused of involvement in “terrorist acts” linked to the opposition. The detainees are of various nationalities, including Venezuelans and foreigners from several countries.
Nationalities of the Detainees
The detained individuals hail from countries such as Colombia, the United States, Peru, Spain, Italy, Uruguay, Switzerland, the Czech Republic, Lebanon, Albania, the Netherlands, Israel, Argentina, Guyana, and Yemen. However, no further details were provided about the detainees or the specific charges against them.
Accusations of Destabilization
According to Cabello, the detainees were involved in “the execution of terrorist acts in Venezuela, acts of destabilization.” The Venezuelan government frequently accuses its opponents of conspiring against President Nicolás Maduro, often claiming that these efforts are supported by the United States and neighboring Colombia.
Financing of the Detainees
Cabello alleged that the financing of the detained “mercenaries” comes from drug trafficking and Colombian narcoparamilitarism, specifically mentioning former presidents Álvaro Uribe and Iván Duque. He also claimed that María Corina Machado, the leader of the opposition, receives financing from terrorist groups seeking to create chaos in Venezuela.
Security Operation and Protests
The announcement comes ahead of Maduro’s inauguration for a third consecutive term, which has been marred by complaints of fraud. A strong security operation has been deployed, with hooded police officers stationed at the entrances to Caracas and around government buildings. The metro stations in Caracas are also being guarded by armed agents.
Previous Protests and Detentions
Maduro’s re-election has sparked protests, resulting in 28 deaths, 200 injuries, and over 2,400 detentions. Many of those detained, including teenagers, were accused of terrorism and imprisoned in maximum-security facilities. Approximately 1,500 individuals have since been released.