Venezuela: Maduro Reports ‘Mercenary’ Detentions; Former Candidate Márquez Arrested

Caracas, January 8, 2025 (venezuelanalysis.com) – Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro announced the arrest of seven foreign nationals who were allegedly involved in “terrorist activities against peace.”

“Today we captured seven mercenaries, including two high-ranking ones from the United States,” he said during a televised event. “They were caught red-handed, they were coming to commit terrorist actions against peace in Venezuela.”

Maduro disclosed that two other detainees were “Colombian hitmen” and that the other three were “coming from the war in Ukraine.” He did not specify the latter three’s nationalities. The identities of the people arrested are not presently known.

The Venezuelan president added that security forces have jailed 125 people from 25 different countries on “terrorism” charges and involvement in alleged plots to target public services since the July 28 presidential contest. He accused the US-backed hardline opposition of ties to the arrested foreigners and called for high alert ahead of the upcoming presidential inauguration on January 10.

Maduro’s revelations came during a public event to activate the so-called Integral Defense Direction Body (ODDI), an organ that brings together the country’s armed forces, police and the Bolivarian Militia. He went on to officially launch “Combatant Squads,” defense groups made up of public sector workers with the aim of safeguarding strategic areas and infrastructure.

In October, Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello announced the arrest of 19 “mercenaries,” including seven US nationals, likewise on accusations of involvement in alleged terrorist plots. Two Spanish citizens who were said to belong to Spain’s National Intelligence Center (CNI) were later released, according to reports.

In a string of press conferences, Cabello also showcased numerous weapons reportedly seized by security forces and went on to accuse US agencies of complicity.

Venezuela faced a paramilitary coup attempt in May 2020. Codenamed “Operation Gideon,” the plot was neutralized by the country’s armed forces. Two former US green berets were among those arrested and received 20-year prison sentences. They were freed in late 2023 as part of a high-profile prisoner exchange.

In September 2024, Erik Prince, founder of the infamous Blackwater military contractor, joined with Venezuelan hardline figures to launch a campaign aimed at raising funds to forcibly oust the Maduro government. Prince claimed to have collected over US $1 million before the fundraising effort was aborted amidst accusations of embezzlement. 

Venezuela’s electoral authorities proclaimed Maduro the winner of the July 28 presidential contest with a reported 52 percent of the vote. The outcome was later ratified by Venezuela’s Supreme Court, with Maduro’s third six-year term set to begin on Friday.

The hardline opposition, led by far-right María Corina Machado, rejected the official result and claimed that its candidate Edmundo González was the victor in a landslide. Former diplomat González recently engaged in an international tour to secure support from the US and allies for his presidential claim.

Outgoing US president Joe Biden hosted the former candidate at the White House on Monday and referred to him as “president-elect.” González received similar endorsements from the presidents of Argentina, Paraguay and Uruguay and is currently in Panama. 

Having self-exiled in Spain, he has vowed to return to Venezuela to be invested on January 10. However, he has an outstanding arrest warrant from the Venezuelan Attorney General’s Office on charges including usurpation of functions and conspiracy.

On Tuesday, González denounced that his son-in-law Rafael Tudares had been detained by “masked men.” Venezuelan authorities have yet to comment on the case.

Center-right former presidential candidate Enrique Márquez was also arrested on Tuesday night. There were no prior reports of charges or an investigation against the former Electoral Council (CNE) rector.

Márquez is part of the Democratic Popular Front (FDP), an organization formed in August that claims to defend the Venezuelan Constitution. The FDP issued a statement on Wednesday demanding Márquez’s immediate release.

[January 9 update: On Wednesday evening, Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello stated that one of the US nationals apprehended is an FBI agent with 20 years working in Venezuela, and that he had ties to both Márquez and Tudares.]

Edited by Cira Pascual Marquina from Caracas.