Venezuelan authorities have arrested two U.S. citizens, along with five others from Colombia and Ukraine, on accusations of planning terrorist acts. The charges remain vague, but President Nicolás Maduro claims they are part of a larger group of 125 foreign mercenaries from 25 countries.

Maduro, who’s set to be inaugurated for a third term despite widespread international condemnation of the July election, identified the Americans as “high-level mercenaries” without providing evidence.

According to Reuters, Maduro stated that his security forces apprehended seven foreign mercenaries, including two significant U.S. nationals.

He also said that two Colombians and three Ukrainians were among those arrested. 

The U.S. State Department strongly denies Maduro’s allegations, calling them categorically false and reiterating its support for a democratic resolution to Venezuela’s political crisis. The department acknowledges the risk of unjustified detention for U.S. citizens in Venezuela.

The identities of the detained Americans remain undisclosed for privacy reasons. The State Department is actively gathering information and expresses concern for their well-being.

The current number of Americans imprisoned in Venezuela remains unclear, especially following a substantial prisoner exchange in 2023.

These events coincide with a visit to Washington D.C. by Venezuelan opposition presidential candidate Edmundo Gonzalez, recognized as president-elect by several countries, including the U.S.

President Biden reaffirmed U.S. support for Gonzalez as the legitimate winner of the July election, contrasting with Maduro’s claim of victory.

Venezuelan authorities have withheld election results, while Gonzalez’s team has released scanned voting machine data suggesting an opposition win.

Maduro’s accusations of a U.S.-backed coup attempt intensified after his contested election, with previous claims of CIA involvement and the seizure of weapons.

Isaias Medina, a former Venezuelan diplomat to the UN, characterizes Maduro’s actions as “hostage diplomacy,” suggesting the arrests are intended to distract from the inauguration and suppress dissent.

Medina believes the accusations are baseless and designed to justify crackdowns on protests, intimidate the population, and shift blame for the country’s worsening economic and humanitarian crisis.

The U.S. State Department has issued a Level 4 travel advisory for Venezuela, warning of significant security risks for American citizens.