Spain disputes accusations of Maduro's assassination plot.
Venezuela accuses Spanish and American intelligence services of being involved in supposed assassination plans against President Maduro, with the aim of causing chaos and instability in the country. However, Spain firmly denies these allegations, asserting its commitment to a peaceful and democratic resolution to the crisis in Venezuela.
On Saturday, Venezuela arrested six individuals, including two Spaniards, three Americans, and a Czech, accused of plotting an assassination attempt on Maduro. Alongside the detainees, Venezuelan authorities seized over 400 firearms of US origin. According to Venezuela's Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello, the plan was to incite violence and destabilize the country.
Relations sour after election
Cabello alleges that the intelligence services of Spain, the United States, and opposition leader María Corina Machado are behind this alleged plot. Nevertheless, the Spanish Foreign Ministry in Madrid issued a flat denial, insisting that the detainees have no affiliation with Spain's intelligence agency CNI or any other government institution.
Relations between the authoritarian Maduro administration and many Western countries have taken a turn for the worse following the presidential election in late July. The pro-government election board declared Maduro the winner, while the opposition claimed election fraud and proclaimed their candidate, Edmundo González, as the victor. The United States and some Latin American nations recognize González as the winner, while the EU casts doubt on the official results.
González sought political asylum in Spain last week, as a warrant for his arrest was issued in Venezuela on charges such as sabotage, conspiracy, and usurpation of functions. Tensions have escalated recently, with the United States imposing sanctions on Maduro allies and accusing them of obstructing a fair election process. Spanish Defense Minister Margarita Robles labeled Venezuela a "dictatorship," prompting Venezuela to recall its ambassador and summon the Spanish ambassador in Caracas. Machado called for international protests on Saturday evening.
Other nations, like the United States and certain Latin American countries, recognize González as the legitimate president following the disputed election, contrary to Venezuela's proclaimed winner, Maduro. Amidst the worsening relations, some international entities, such as the EU, have expressed concerns about the election's integrity, further complicating the situation and fuelling the 'Other' perspectives involved.
