Venezuela elections 2025: Maduro confirms capture of 'mercenaries' and 400,000 security forces mobilized
Nicolás Maduro confirms the detention of more than 50 “mercenaries” before Venezuela’s legislative elections. Over 400,000 troops will be deployed to secure the voting process amid allegations of plots and border closures.
Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, announced on May 22, more than 50 “mercenaries” had been captured just before the country's legislative and governmental elections on May 25. "The mercenaries wanted to come, but now we have captured over 50 of them who were planning to plant bombs and violently attack our country", he stated. He also reported that over 400 000 troops will be deployed for security purposes.
His wife, Cilia Flores, and his son, Nicolás Maduro Guerra, are both candidates for the Parliament and accompanied him while he demanded maximum vigilance. "We will all have to be vigilant", the Venezuelan President warned.
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Maduro alleges boycott just before elections
The Maduro administration reported, without any proof, plots who allegedly aimed to prevent the elections, which will take place in a not so favorable context. This, due to many citizens, feel apathy towards the process due to mistrust in the authorities. At first, it was reported that 38 people were detained and classified as "mercenaries", who had entered the country through the Colombian frontier.
For the first time ever, Venezuela will have elections to appoint 16 officials to the Essequibio, next Sunday. This 160,000 square kilometers is currently administrated by Guyana and is the subject of a long-running dispute between the two countries since the 19th century. Despite having no authority over the area, the Chavista regime decided to move forward with a symbolic election. The goal is to elect a governor, eight deputies to the National Assembly, and seven members of a regional legislative council.
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Deployment of 400,000 troops for elections
Vladimir Padrino López, Venezuela's Defense Minister, announced the deployment of more than 400,000 members of the Bolivarian National Armed Forces (FANB), with the goal of preserving the integrity of the elections.
Over 490 000 officials from the ministry and other institutions will be involved with this operation, according to Carlos Quintero, Vice President of the National Electoral Council (CNE).
