Three Ukrainians are among seven alleged mercenaries arrested in Venezuela, leader Maduro says
www.pravda.com.ua
Wed, 08 Jan 2025 08:57:34 +0200
Venezuelas leader Nicols Maduro announced on state television on 7 January the arrest of seven foreigners whom he accused of being mercenaries, allegedly trying to prevent him from taking the presidential oath.
Source Radio Liberty Details Maduro claimed that among those detained are two Americans, two Colombian hitmen, and three mercenaries from the war in Ukraine who, according to him, were involved in planning terrorist acts ahead of his inauguration scheduled for 10 January.
The Ukrainian Ministry of Foreign Affairs has not commented on whether any Ukrainian citizens are among those detained in Venezuela.
Reports of the arrests, including that of the Americans, emerged just hours after US President Joe Biden hosted exiled Venezuelan opposition candidate Edmundo Gonzlez in the United States.
Background Venezuelas Electoral Council officially declared Nicols Maduro the winner of the elections held on 28 July.
Maduro has been in power since 2013.
However, the opposition claims that their candidate, Edmundo Gonzlez, won the election based on approximately 90 of the vote count.
Following the elections, Gonzlezs supporters took to the streets in protest, leading to crackdowns by security forces and progovernment armed groups.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken stated that the United States recognises Gonzlez as the rightful winner of the elections.
Meanwhile, several European countries and others called on Venezuela to publish the full election results.
Support UP or become our patron
Latest news
more news