Nicaragua Arrests 60 for Alleged U.S.-Backed Plot to Kidnap Venezuelan President Maduro
By Lions Roar News Latin America Desk
MANAGUA, NICARAGUA (January 11, 2026) — Authorities in Nicaragua have detained 60 individuals suspected of collaborating with the United States in a high-stakes plot to kidnap Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro. According to a report by the Nicaraguan newspaper Confidencial, the arrests were carried out under the direct orders of President Daniel Ortega.
The sweep highlights the deepening security ties between the Ortega and Maduro administrations as they face increasing pressure from Washington.
⚖️ Mass Detentions and Uncertain Fates
The crackdown, executed by Nicaraguan security forces, targeted individuals allegedly providing support for an external operation to seize the Venezuelan leader.
- Current Status: Out of the 60 people initially detained, 49 remain in custody.
- Released: Security forces have released 9 individuals, though the reasons for their release have not been detailed.
- Lack of Transparency: Confidencial reports that the fate and legal standing of the remaining 49 detainees remain highly unclear, with family members expressing concern over their whereabouts and the charges they face.
🤝 The Ortega-Maduro Alliance
President Daniel Ortega, a staunch ally of Nicolás Maduro, has frequently accused the United States of attempting to destabilize “revolutionary” governments in the region. This operation appears to be a preemptive strike against what Managua describes as imperialist intervention.
- The Allegation: The Nicaraguan government claims these individuals were part of a logistical network supporting a U.S.-led “extraction” mission.
- The Backdrop: Relations between the U.S. and both Nicaragua and Venezuela have reached a nadir, with heavy sanctions and criminal indictments currently active against several top leaders in both nations.
