Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro said on Monday that authorities have arrested two U.S. citizens among a group of "mercenaries," following an attempted maritime invasion on Sunday.

The two Americans, Airan Berry, 41, and Luke Denman, 34, were employees of a Florida-based security company named Silvercorp, whose owner has claimed responsibility for the invasion attempt, said Maduro, who showed on state television VTV their passports and other identification documents.

The armed incursion took place on Sunday in the port of La Guaira, 30 kilometers north of the capital Caracas, which, according to Venezuelan officials, aimed to overthrow the government of Maduro.

Authorities blamed Colombia and the United States for plotting the incursion. Officials from both countries have denied the allegation.

Venezuela's foreign ministry said on Monday that the Venezuelan armed forces have thwarted an attempt to unload mercenary groups onto the country's central coast on Sunday, blaming the United States for the "provocations and attacks" in recent weeks.

The Venezuelan Foreign Ministry said in a statement on Monday that several people were captured in the operation, including one individual who confessed to "being a veteran agent of the United States Drug Enforcement Agency."

The release said "Venezuelan military deserters and a former member of the United States Army Special Forces have taken responsibility for this failed operation."

Venezuelan Interior Minister Nestor Reverol said on Sunday that "Colombian terrorist mercenaries" were also involved in the maritime invasion. Colombia denied any part in the event later on Sunday.

The Venezuelan Foreign Ministry also noted that the operation "took place in the midst of a global pandemic, disregarding the call of the (UN) secretary-general for a cessation of hostilities in the world."

(With input from Xinhua)