Venezuela detains six non-nationals in suspicion of orchestrating a plot
Authorities in Venezuela are showcasing a vast collection of weapons as evidence for supposed assassination plans against six individuals from the USA, Spain, and the Czech Republic, who have been apprehended. The United States firmly denies any participation of its intelligence agency in this alleged scheme. The detentions are believed to have a different underlying motivation.
In Venezuela, six foreign nationals have been taken into custody due to suspicions of plotting to assassinate President Nicolás Maduro. The alleged objective was to fuel violence and disrupt the country, according to Venezuela's Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello. Cabello alleges that the intelligence services of Spain, the USA, and opposition leader María Corina Machado are behind these plans.
Two Spanish, three American, and one Czech national have been detained. Over 400 rifles and pistols, reportedly from the USA, have also been confiscated. The US government has dismissed the accusations as "completely false." A representative from the US State Department affirmed, "Any allegations that the USA is involved in a plot to overthrow Maduro are utterly false." They confirmed the apprehension of a US military personnel in Venezuela and revealed "unverified reports" of two more US citizens being held captive in Venezuela.
The arrests occurred during a time of diplomatic tension between Caracas and the governments of Spain and the USA. This week, Venezuela withdrew their ambassador to Madrid and summoned the Spanish ambassador to Caracas in response to a critical statement by Spanish Defense Minister Margarita Robles. Robles stated that Venezuelans in exile had to leave their country due to the oppressive regime they were living under. Venezuela's Foreign Minister Yván Gil labeled Robles' comments as "insolent, disruptive, and impolite." The US government imposed sanctions on several of Maduro's associates on Thursday, accusing them of interfering with a fair electoral process.
Venezuela's opposition leader absconds the country
Diplomatic ties between President Nicolás Maduro's Venezuela and numerous Western countries have worsened since the end of July presidential election. The pro-government electoral board declared Maduro the victor. However, the opposition maintains that election fraud occurred and claims that their candidate Edmundo González emerged victorious.
González relocated to Spain over the weekend and requested political asylum there. Before his departure, a warrant was issued against him in Venezuela for charges that included sabotage, conspiracy, and usurpation of office. The USA and several Latin American countries recognize González as the election winner. The EU also questions the authenticity of the official results.
- This allegation against foreign nationals includes the President of the Republic, Nicolás Maduro, who believes that the intelligence services of Spain, the USA, and opposition leader María Corina Machado are involved in the plot to assassinate him.
- In response to the accusations, the US government, represented by a representative from the US State Department, has strongly denied any involvement in a plot to overthrow President Nicolás Maduro of Venezuela and labeled the allegations as "completely false."
