Venezuelan opposition parties and NGOs decried the arrests of a prominent press freedom activist and a well-known opposition figure, among others, ahead of planned protests against

Venezuela's "colectivos," groups of armed civilian volunteers accused of committing violence on behalf of Nicolas Maduro's pariah regime, are poised to pounce on opposition protests called for the eve of the president's swearing-in ceremony.

Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro has arrested seven foreigners, including two Americans, who he has accused of being “mercenaries” trying to prevent him from being sworn in for another six years in power.