Journalist Orlando Avendaño, reporting from Colombia, denounced a plot by the Venezuelan regime to kidnap him and other exiles for transport back to Venezuela. Avendaño made the denunciation on September 10th, 2025, and has demanded security guarantees from Colombian President Gustavo Petro against what he termed "Chavista tyranny." Avendaño's claims, shared via X by user UHN_Plus, highlight ongoing tensions and accusations against the Venezuelan government. The report of a planned kidnapping of exiles follows recent U.S. statements regarding Venezuela's alleged involvement in narcotics trafficking. On September 9th, 2025, U.S. Secretary of War Hegseth warned Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro about the U.S. commitment to combating "narcoterroristas." These developments also echo concerns raised by former U.S. Special Representative for Venezuela, Mauricio M. Billingslea, who previously criticized the U.S. approach to Venezuela for a perceived "lack of seriousness." Additionally, U.S. Representative Maria Elvira Salazar reported the kidnapping of Julio Velazco, father of an opposition leader, characterizing it as "intolerable barbarity" by "Maduro's narco-regime."
