CARACAS (Reuters) -Two U.S. citizens have been arrested in Venezuela, part of a group of seven who 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.

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.

Venezuela's Edmundo Gonzalez Urrutia, who the opposition says won a July presidential election over incumbent Nicolas Maduro, said Tuesday his son-in-law was detained by "hooded men."Writing on the social network X,

Venezuelan opposition leader Edmundo González, who asserts victory in last year's presidential election against President Nicolás Maduro, reported on January 7 that his son-in-law was kidnapped in the capital.