Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro said on Friday in a social media post that businessman Alex Saab has been appointed industry minister, replacing Pedro Tellechea. Saab, a close ally of Maduro, was freed in a prisoner exchange with the United States late last year,

- Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro, left, and Alex Saab embrace during an event marking the anniversary of the 1958 coup that overthrew dictator Marcos Perez Jimenez, in Caracas, Venezuela, Jan. 23,

Venezuela has detained five more foreigners, including three U.S. citizens, for their alleged connection to a plot to destabilize the South American country.

The Venezuelan government has detained three additional Americans citing alleged terrorist activities. This comes after the release of 10 American prisoners in December, following extensive negotiations between Caracas and Washington.