Venezuelan Authorities Arrest Foreign Nationals in Alleged Assassination Plot
Caracas, Venezuela – In a significant development this weekend, Venezuelan authorities announced the arrest of three American citizens, two Spaniards, and one Czech national. They are suspected of being involved in a plot aimed at destabilizing the country. The Interior Minister, Diosdado Cabello, made this announcement during a press conference, where he also revealed that hundreds of weapons were seized in the operation.
Assassination Claims Targeting President Maduro
The report claims that the detained individuals were planning to assassinate Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and other key government officials. According to Cabello, the arrested Spaniards have connections to Spain’s National Intelligence Centre (CNI), a claim that has been met with denial from Spanish government sources. They insist that the two individuals are not members of the intelligence agency.
During the news conference, Cabello stated, “The CIA is leading this operation, and that does not surprise us.” He added that the two detained Spaniards mentioned seeking out mercenaries to help them execute their plans in Venezuela. He insisted that there were specific targets including President Maduro, Vice President Delcy Rodriguez, and himself.
US and Spain Deny Involvement
The US government has swiftly rejected the allegations made by Venezuela, stating that “any claims of US involvement in a plot to overthrow Maduro are categorically false.” A spokesperson from the US State Department emphasized that Washington continues to support a diplomatic resolution to the ongoing political crisis in Venezuela.
The timing of these arrests follows a recent feud between the Venezuelan government and both the US and Spain. Only two days prior, the US announced sanctions against 16 Venezuelan officials who are closely aligned with President Maduro. This move was prompted by concerns surrounding the legitimacy of Maduro’s election victory, which was contested by opposition sources.
Spanish Embassy Requests Access
After the arrests, Spanish authorities requested more information from their Venezuelan counterparts. The Spanish embassy in Caracas has also sought access to the detained citizens to offer consular assistance. Meanwhile, Cabello reiterated that they had come into contact with mercenaries not only from Spain but also from Eastern Europe and had plans to disrupt stability in Venezuela.
Political Climate in Venezuela
This incident sheds light on the fragile political climate in Venezuela, which has been volatile for several years. Maduro’s government has faced increasing criticism both domestically and internationally. The July election, which saw Maduro declared the winner, was marked by controversy, with the National Electoral Council (CNE) failing to publish complete voting tallies. The opposition has alleged that their candidate, Edmundo González, actually won the election.
Despite the ongoing tensions, Cabello claimed that 400 firearms were seized during the operation and promised to continue investigating the matters related to the alleged plot.
Conclusion
The situation remains critical as the Venezuelan government grapples with both internal dissent and external pressures. The arrests may further strain relations with the US and Spain, escalating an already tense diplomatic situation. As of now, the detainees remain in custody as investigations continue into the alleged conspiracy and the broader implications of this unfolding story.
