Venezuelan authorities have arrested three US citizens, two Spaniards, and one Czech citizen, accusing them of plotting to destabilize the country. According to Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello, the detainees were involved in a scheme to assassinate President Nicolás Maduro and other top officials, with hundreds of weapons reportedly seized in connection with the plot.
This news comes at a time of heightened tensions between Venezuela and several Western nations, particularly the United States and Spain. Just days prior, the US had imposed sanctions on 16 Venezuelan officials linked to President Maduro following a controversial election outcome that Washington and other international observers have condemned as fraudulent.
Alleged Plot and Arrests
Cabello detailed the arrests in a Saturday news conference, asserting that the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) of the United States was behind the alleged operation. He claimed that mercenaries from various countries, including France and Eastern Europe, were recruited to carry out an assassination campaign targeting Maduro, Vice President Delcy Rodriguez, Cabello himself, and other senior figures in the Venezuelan government. The authorities said they seized over 400 firearms during their investigation.
While Cabello implicated the CIA as the leader of this alleged plot, he also accused Spain’s National Intelligence Centre (CNI) of involvement. He claimed that the two Spaniards arrested in Puerto Ayacucho, south of the capital Caracas, were part of the plot and had collaborated with the CIA to destabilize the country. The Venezuelan government further asserted that the Spaniards were attempting to bring mercenaries into Venezuela with clear objectives related to political assassinations.
International Reactions
Both the United States and Spain have denied the allegations. The US State Department categorically rejected the claims, stating, “Any claims of US involvement in a plot to overthrow Maduro are categorically false.” The State Department emphasized that Washington continues to support a peaceful and democratic resolution to the political crisis in Venezuela. Similarly, Spanish government sources indicated that the two Spaniards arrested in Venezuela were not connected to Spain’s intelligence services. Madrid has requested further information from the Venezuelan government and has sought access to the detainees through its embassy in Caracas.
The Czech government has not yet commented on the arrest of its national.
Tensions with Spain and the United States
These arrests have further inflamed tensions between Venezuela and both the US and Spain. On Friday, Venezuelan Foreign Minister Yván Gil summoned Spain’s ambassador to Caracas in response to a Spanish minister’s description of the Venezuelan government as a “dictatorship.” This exchange followed a series of escalating bilateral disputes between the two countries.
Meanwhile, the United States has continued to tighten sanctions against the Maduro regime. The latest round of sanctions from the US Treasury targeted key Venezuelan officials involved in what the US has called Maduro’s “fraudulent and illegitimate” election victory. These officials were also accused of contributing to a brutal crackdown on free speech and dissent in the country following the disputed election.
The Contested Election
Venezuela’s recent presidential election, held in July, has been a focal point of international controversy. President Nicolás Maduro was declared the winner by the National Electoral Council (CNE), an organization known for its close ties to the government. However, the CNE has not provided detailed voting tallies to back up Maduro’s victory, further fueling suspicions of election fraud.
Opposition groups have presented data suggesting that their candidate, Edmundo González, was the actual winner of the vote. This discrepancy has led to widespread protests and accusations of electoral manipulation.
Conclusion
The arrests of US, Spanish, and Czech citizens in Venezuela represent a new flashpoint in the country’s ongoing political crisis. With tensions running high between Caracas and major international players like Washington and Madrid, the future of Venezuela’s internal stability remains uncertain. As accusations of foreign plots and electoral fraud continue to swirl, the Maduro government faces increasing scrutiny from both domestic opposition and the global community.
