Venezuela Reports Arrest of 125 Foreign Citizens on Suspicion of 'Attempting a Coup'

On Monday, January 7, Venezuela's Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello announced the arrest of 125 foreign citizens, including an Israeli and an Argentine, labeling them as 'U.S. mercenaries' allegedly working to instigate a coup in Venezuela. Without providing evidence to support his claims of these individuals' connections to the U.S., Cabello stated, 'We are committed to ensuring the peace of Venezuela, and those who think they can disrupt this peace should know they will face our severe and serious response.' On Saturday, January 5, the Venezuelan government also displayed 'wanted' posters featuring the image of Edmundo Gonzalez, the opposition leader, on walls and screens at Simón Bolívar International Airport in Caracas. The government of Nicolás Maduro has offered a $100,000 reward for the capture of this former presidential candidate. Edmundo Gonzalez Oruña, the opposition candidate in the previous presidential election who fled to Spain in September, called on the people of Venezuela last week to unite in support of him as the 'elected president' and to continue protests. Gonzalez traveled to Washington and met with U.S. President Joe Biden at the White House on Monday, January 7. Biden stated that Gonzalez's campaign inspired millions and that he is the one who should take the presidential oath in four days. The U.S. President highlighted in a social media post that the people of Venezuela deserve a peaceful transfer of power to the 'real winner' of their presidential election. Venezuelans took to the streets to protest against what they deemed 'fraud' after Nicolás Maduro was declared the winner of the July 28, 2024 election. These widespread protests resulted in at least 28 deaths, around 200 injuries, and over 2,400 arrests. Maduro's third six-year presidential term is set to begin on January 10. Election officials and Venezuela's Supreme Court claim that Maduro won the election on August 7 with just over half of the votes, but counts shared by the opposition indicate a decisive victory for Edmundo Gonzalez. While only a few countries, including Russia, have recognized Maduro's victory, the United States, the European Parliament, and the G7 have recognized Edmundo Gonzalez Oruña as the 'elected president' of Venezuela.