Venezuela Attorney General Tarek William Saab announced the detention of two members of the Opposition Campaign Command, under opposition presidential candidate María Corina Machado, on accusations that the two are linked to a plan to destabilize the government. The move came on Wednesday, the eve of the registration of presidential candidates for the upcoming July elections.

During a press conference Saab announced the detention of Henry Alviarez and Dignora Hernández, two of the nine individuals with arrest warrants for alleged actions aimed at generating violence in the country. The nine individuals are also accused of making an attempt on the life of President Nicolás Maduro. Both Alviarez and Hernández are members of the Opposition Campaign Command, holding the positions of National Organization Coordinator and Political Coordinator, respectively.

Saab pointed out that the detention of the two implicated individuals arises from the revelations made by Emil Brandt Ulloa, former director of the Opposition Campaign Command in the state of Barinas. Ulloa was previously arrested on March 9 for allegedly conspiring against the government. He stated that Emil provided information about the “Hasta el final” plan—the supposed plan to generate violence in the country—and the implication of both detainees.

In response to the events, Machado stated, “These cowardly actions aim to close Venezuela’s path towards change and freedom in peace and democracy.” In a subsequent press conference, the opposition leader noted the detentions were not a coincidence and occurred on the eve of the opening of the period for the submission of presidential candidacies, scheduled to occur between March 21 and 25.

With the detention of Alviarez and Hernández, the Maduro government has arrested at least six opposition leaders in the course of the electoral race leading up to the next July 28 election.