Venezuela arrests five foreigners over alleged antigovernment activity

Maduro government announces detention of five foreigners, including three US citizens, amid post-election crackdown.

The administration of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro has announced the arrest of five foreigners suspected of antigovernment activity, as part of an ongoing crackdown after the country’s contested presidential election.

Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello said on Thursday that three people from the United States, one from Bolivia and one from Peru had been detained for alleged “terror” activities, without offering details.

“The detained foreigners speak Spanish perfectly, a necessary requirement for them to involve themselves in communities,” Cabello said on state television, adding that one of those from the US had been detained in the border state of Zulia.

Human rights groups say repression has increased in Venezuela after the presidential race on July 28.

When Maduro’s government claimed victory without offering the usual breakdown of election results, the country’s opposition denounced the results as fraudulent and released voter tallies that it said proved Maduro’s rival had won.