Two U.S. citizens have been arrested in Venezuela, part of a group of seven whom President Nicolas Maduro on Tuesday branded as "mercenaries" in the latest roundup ahead of the embattled leader's expected inauguration to a new term later this week.

CARACAS (Reuters) -Two U.S. citizens have been arrested in Venezuela, part of group of what President Nicolas Maduro described on Tuesday as seven "mercenaries," the embattled leader said in remarks broadcast by state television.

Venezuela’s government has doubled down on its intention to arrest the opposition leader who claims to have defeated President Nicolás Maduro in last year’s election

Venezuela's embattled opposition on Monday vowed to overcome "fear" and thwart President Nicolas Maduro's plans to be sworn in for another term, with defiant leaders renewing calls for mass protests and visiting the White House to rally international support.

Tension mounted in Venezuela Monday ahead of strongman Nicolas Maduro's swearing-in ceremony, with Caracas vowing to arrest exiled opposition figure Edmundo Gonzalez Urrutia if he returns to the country.

A senior U.S. administration official has told the Associated Press that the Venezuelan opposition leader who claims to have defeated President Nicolás Maduro in last year’s presidential election will meet with U.

Venezuela's government is intensifying efforts to apprehend opposition leader Edmundo González, who claims to have defeated President Nicolás Maduro in last year's contentious election. On Sunday, National Assembly leader Jorge Rodriguez declared the immediate arrest of González if he sets foot in the country.