How a Water Balloon Fight in Venezuela Ended in Charges of Treason

New York Times - WorldCenter-LeftEN 7 min read 100% complete by Tibisay Romero, Jack Nicas, Patricia Sulbarán and The New York TimesJanuary 24, 2026 at 11:01 AM

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long article 7 min

In Barcelona, Venezuela, 25 boys and young men, aged 13 to 25, were arrested following a water balloon fight, a local Carnival tradition. The arrests occurred two days after the capture of President Nicolás Maduro. State prosecutors charged them with treason. The detainees and their families allege that police and National Guard soldiers used excessive force during the arrests. The incident highlights the continued surveillance and repression under the U.S.-backed Venezuelan interim government, despite President Trump's praise for their cooperation, particularly regarding U.S. access to Venezuelan oil. The New York Times interviewed detainees and their families, who expressed fear of government reprisal.

Key Entities & Roles

Key Player Opposition Context

Caracas 30% Mexico City 30% The New York Times 40% National Guard 50% Barcelona, Venezuela ×470% Donald Trump ×380% Nicolás Maduro ×290% Venezuela ×7100%

Keywords

venezuela 100% treason charges 90% water balloon fight 80% interim government 70% political repression 70% donald trump 60% citizen surveillance 60% state security apparatus 50% nicolás maduro 50%