Venezuela arrests US and Spanish citizens over ‘plot’

Venezuelan authorities have arrested three US citizens, two Spaniards, and one Czech national, accusing them of conspiring to destabilize the country. Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello announced the arrests and claimed that hundreds of weapons were confiscated during the operation. The Venezuelan government alleges that the detainees were involved in a plot to assassinate President Nicolás Maduro and other senior officials.

This development follows recent tensions between Venezuela and the United States. Just two days prior, Washington imposed sanctions on 16 Venezuelan officials linked to President Maduro, in response to his controversial election victory.

The Venezuelan government has alleged that the two Spaniards involved are connected to Spain’s National Intelligence Centre (CNI). However, Spanish government sources have denied any association with the CNI, asserting that the individuals in question are not part of the intelligence agency. During a press conference on Saturday, Cabello claimed, “The CIA is leading this operation, and it does not surprise us. However, the CNI has maintained a low profile, aware that the CIA operates in this domain.”

According to Cabello, the detainees have revealed plans involving mercenaries intended to assassinate not only President Maduro but also Vice President Delcy Rodríguez and other key figures in the Venezuelan government. The Venezuelan authorities allege that the operation was aimed at overthrowing the current administration.

In response, the US State Department has firmly denied any involvement in the purported plot. “Any allegations of US participation in an attempt to overthrow Maduro are categorically false,” a State Department spokesperson said. The US government reiterated its stance in favor of a democratic resolution to Venezuela’s ongoing political crisis.

The arrests have exacerbated existing tensions between Venezuela and both the US and Spain. According to Cabello, the Spaniards were apprehended in Puerto Ayacucho, a city located south of the capital, Caracas. Spanish authorities have requested additional information from Venezuela and sought consular access to the detained individuals.

Cabello further claimed that the plot involved French and Eastern European mercenaries. “They contacted French mercenaries and those from Eastern Europe, and they are orchestrating an operation to attack our country,” he stated. During the operation, Venezuelan authorities reported the seizure of approximately 400 firearms.

This latest incident comes amid escalating diplomatic disputes between Venezuela and Spain. On Friday, Venezuelan Foreign Minister Yván Gil summoned Spain’s ambassador to Caracas to protest a Spanish minister’s recent characterization of the Venezuelan government as a “dictatorship.” This confrontation was part of a broader pattern of growing bilateral tensions.

Additionally, the US Treasury Department announced new sanctions on Thursday, targeting “key officials involved in Maduro’s fraudulent election claims and his harsh suppression of free expression following the election.” These sanctions are part of the broader US effort to address what it sees as undemocratic practices by the Venezuelan government.

Venezuela’s National Electoral Council (CNE), which is closely aligned with Maduro’s government, declared him the winner of the July presidential election. However, the CNE has not released detailed voting results to support this claim. Opposition groups have disputed the election outcome, with their data suggesting that opposition candidate Edmundo González was the actual victor.

The current geopolitical climate underscores the deep divisions and ongoing conflicts surrounding Venezuela’s political situation. The arrest of the foreign nationals adds another layer of complexity to the already strained relations between Venezuela and several international actors.