Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro announced Tuesday the arrest of seven foreign nationals, including two U.S. citizens, accusing them of plotting attacks to disrupt his government. The arrests come as Maduro prepares to be sworn in for a third term following a disputed election.

According to Maduro, the group included three individuals from Ukraine and two Colombian operatives. The Americans were described as “high level” but were not publicly identified. “They were plotting to carry out attacks on the leaders of the revolution,” Maduro claimed in a televised address.

The announcement follows growing international pressure on Maduro. On Monday, President Joe Biden met with Venezuelan opposition leader Edmundo Gonzalez Urrutia in Washington, reaffirming U.S. support for a peaceful return to democracy. The U.S. and other nations have recognized Gonzalez as the rightful winner of Venezuela’s July election.

So Rubio has been active behind the scenes:
Venezuelan authorities have arrested seven foreign mercenaries, including Ukrainians and Americans, who were planning to attack the country’s leadership, President Nicolas Maduro has claimed.

— CatoTheYounger (@catoletters) January 9, 2025

And from an article on MSN it looks like 3 others of these mercenaries were Ukrainians. Maduro claims they were attempting to prevent his Jan 10 inauguration https://t.co/q7QQZoJlbf

— Liam (@skippah123) January 9, 2025

Maduro has accused the U.S. of orchestrating efforts to remove him from power, alleging that foreign actors have backed armed attempts against his regime. His government recently reported detaining 125 foreign nationals accused of anti-government activities.

🇻🇪 President Maduro: "125 mercenaries from 25 nationalities have already been captured… yesterday 2 Americans, 3 Ukrainians, 2 Colombians… This is a foreign mercenary aggression financed by the outgoing government of the United States."

"We will not stand idly by — ever." pic.twitter.com/5K3kUKkPBw

— COMBATE |🇵🇷 (@upholdreality) January 9, 2025

Critics argue that Maduro’s claims of foreign plots are often used to justify crackdowns on dissent. Reports of harassment, abductions, and surveillance targeting opposition leaders and their families have intensified in recent weeks.

🇻🇪 US, Colombian and Ukrainian mercenaries captured in Venezuela

7 foreign mercenaries, including 2 Americans, 2 Colombians, & 3 Ukrainians, were arrested in Venezuela, Venezuelan President Maduro stated, saying that they were of an "unprecedentedly high level" for the country pic.twitter.com/qSDGVetg3u

— COMMUNITY EARTH RADIO🌎 (@COMM_EARTH) January 8, 2025

While the opposition has called for mass protests on Thursday, years of economic decline and government repression have left many Venezuelans disillusioned. Maduro’s control over the military further complicates efforts to challenge his rule.