Venezuelan authorities have arrested three Americans, two Spaniards and a Czech, accused of being linked to an alleged plot to ” destabilize ” the country, Caracas announced on Saturday, September 14, reporting the seizure of some 400 rifles from the United States.
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Washington, whose relations with Caracas are execrable, immediately denied any ” involvement » American in a « conspiracy » aiming at « to spill ” the president Nicolas Maduro.
Venezuelan Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello spoke at a press conference about an alleged plan to ” generate violence » and to « destabilize ” the country. According to him, President Maduro, whose re-election on July 28 is contested by the opposition and part of the international community, was the target of this alleged plan, along with other executive officials.
” Two Spanish citizens were recently arrested in Puerto Ayacucho (south) “, he said, adding that a ” American citizen ” was also behind bars. He later reported the arrest of two other Americans, as well as a Czech. Diosdado Cabello linked the alleged plan to Spanish and American intelligence services, as well as opposition leader Maria Corina Machado.
More than 400 rifles seized
” They have contacted French mercenaries, (…) Eastern European mercenaries and they are carrying out an operation to try to attack our country. ” he said, adding that the detainees were in the process of confessing.
The more than 400 rifles seized were intended for ” to terrorist acts here in Venezuelaterrorism encouraged by political sectors “, he said, assuring: ” We even know that the US government is linked to this operation. »
American diplomacy responded on Saturday, September 14, through a spokesperson for the State Department, to have been informed of the ” detention » by Caracas of a « American military ” and mentioned ” unconfirmed reports of the detention of two other US nationals. »
” Categorically false »
But ” To claim that there is U.S. involvement in a plot to overthrow Maduro is categorically false. The United States continues to support a democratic solution to the political crisis in Venezuela. “, the spokesperson wrote in an email.
These arrests come amid heightened tensions between Venezuela and the United States, as well as with Spainregarding the disputed election of President Maduro.
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