Venezuela Captures Ukrainian Mercenaries, Announces Maduro
According to President Nicolas Maduro, seven foreign mercenaries, among them three Ukrainians, were plotting attacks in Venezuela. Read Full Article at RT.com.
TroibNews 
Venezuelan authorities have apprehended seven foreign mercenaries, including individuals from Ukraine and the United States, who were allegedly plotting to assault the nation's leadership, according to President Nicolas Maduro.
On Tuesday, Maduro stated that among the detainees were two Colombian hitmen captured “in different places” and “three mercenaries who came from Ukraine, from the war in Ukraine, to bring violence to the country.” He also mentioned the arrest of two “very high level” US citizens, later referring to them as “two important mercenaries.”
The president did not disclose additional personal information about those detained and refrained from confirming whether the group was collaborating with one another.
According to Maduro, the arrested individuals had intended “to carry out attacks on the leaders of the revolution,” echoing the rhetoric of Bolivarian socialism championed by his predecessor, Hugo Chavez.
He emphasized that Venezuela “did not allow it,” urging citizens to remain vigilant. In total, the Venezuelan government has reportedly captured 125 foreign mercenaries from 25 different countries, whom Maduro accused of entering the nation “to practice terrorism against the Venezuelan people.”
This announcement comes at a time of heightened tensions between Maduro’s administration and opposition factions led by Edmundo Gonzalez, who have refused to acknowledge the Venezuelan leader’s victory in the July elections.
On Monday, Gonzalez called upon the military to recognize him as their commander-in-chief and to “put an end to the leadership” of Maduro, who is set to be inaugurated later this week.
In September, Gonzalez, who fled the country and was granted asylum in Spain, became the target of an arrest warrant on charges including terrorism and conspiracy. He has denied all accusations related to election crimes.
The US government, which has been at odds with Maduro since his rise to power, has consistently supported Venezuela's opposition forces. In November, it recognized Gonzalez as the country’s “president-elect,” and following the election, it has intensified sanctions against Venezuela, targeting officials it claims were involved in electoral fraud.
In response, Venezuela introduced a law in November imposing prison sentences of 25 to 30 years on individuals who promote and facilitate coercive measures against the nation.
Alejandro Jose Martinez for TROIB News
On Tuesday, Maduro stated that among the detainees were two Colombian hitmen captured “in different places” and “three mercenaries who came from Ukraine, from the war in Ukraine, to bring violence to the country.” He also mentioned the arrest of two “very high level” US citizens, later referring to them as “two important mercenaries.”
The president did not disclose additional personal information about those detained and refrained from confirming whether the group was collaborating with one another.
According to Maduro, the arrested individuals had intended “to carry out attacks on the leaders of the revolution,” echoing the rhetoric of Bolivarian socialism championed by his predecessor, Hugo Chavez.
He emphasized that Venezuela “did not allow it,” urging citizens to remain vigilant. In total, the Venezuelan government has reportedly captured 125 foreign mercenaries from 25 different countries, whom Maduro accused of entering the nation “to practice terrorism against the Venezuelan people.”
This announcement comes at a time of heightened tensions between Maduro’s administration and opposition factions led by Edmundo Gonzalez, who have refused to acknowledge the Venezuelan leader’s victory in the July elections.
On Monday, Gonzalez called upon the military to recognize him as their commander-in-chief and to “put an end to the leadership” of Maduro, who is set to be inaugurated later this week.
In September, Gonzalez, who fled the country and was granted asylum in Spain, became the target of an arrest warrant on charges including terrorism and conspiracy. He has denied all accusations related to election crimes.
The US government, which has been at odds with Maduro since his rise to power, has consistently supported Venezuela's opposition forces. In November, it recognized Gonzalez as the country’s “president-elect,” and following the election, it has intensified sanctions against Venezuela, targeting officials it claims were involved in electoral fraud.
In response, Venezuela introduced a law in November imposing prison sentences of 25 to 30 years on individuals who promote and facilitate coercive measures against the nation.
Alejandro Jose Martinez for TROIB News
