Arrest of Two American Citizens in Venezuela on Charges of Attempting a Coup

Venezuelan authorities have arrested two American citizens. Nicolás Maduro, the President of Venezuela, introduced these individuals as part of a group he referred to as 'seven mercenaries' in a speech broadcast on state television. Maduro claimed that these American citizens are 'from very high levels,' but did not provide details about their identity or role. Diosdado Cabello, the Minister of Interior of Venezuela, announced on Monday that 125 foreign citizens, including an Israeli and an Argentine, have been arrested. He labeled these individuals as 'mercenaries of America' and claimed that this group was planning a coup in Venezuela. Cabello emphasized that the Venezuelan government will seriously confront any disruptive actions to maintain the country's peace, but no evidence was provided to support these claims. These arrests come as Joe Biden, the President of the United States, met with Edmundo Gonzalez Urrutia, the leader of the Venezuelan opposition, at the White House on Monday. Gonzalez, who is recognized by some as the 'real winner' of the Venezuelan presidential elections, received support from the United States for the people of Venezuela and their efforts to restore democracy. The ban on the entry of U.S.-sanctioned oil tankers into the ports of Shandong Province, China, was also reported amid the arrest of 125 foreign citizens on suspicion of 'attempting a coup.' The exiled leader of the Venezuelan opposition traveled to the U.S. for discussions with Joe Biden, and the Venezuelan opposition called for the resumption of protests.