Venezuela's Maduro Ramps Up Arrests to Purge Dissenting Military
- Arrests include former intelligence director Miguel Rodriguez
- Other military officials accused of treason and rebellion
Nicolas Maduro
Photographer: Carlos Becerra/BloombergThis article is for subscribers only.
President Nicolas Maduro is clamping down on dissent in the middle ranks of Venezuela’s army, a sign that his alliance with the top brass may not be able to guarantee his grip on power as he prepares to face re-election in May.
Police have detained 19 officers since the start of the month, charging nine of them with treason and instigating rebellion, said Alonso Medina, the lawyer for six of those accused. The government has yet to confirm the arrests. On Tuesday, former intelligence director Miguel Rodriguez Torres was also arrested, accused of plotting to attack the unity of the armed force and having ties to U.S. intelligence services, according to the Information Ministry.