By Venezuelan authorities have arrested six foreign nationals, including two Spaniards, three Americans, and one Czech citizen, on suspicion of involvement in alleged plans to destabilize the country, Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello announced on Saturday.
The arrests come amid escalating diplomatic tensions following Venezuela’s disputed presidential election in July, further straining relations with Spain and the United States.
Cabello accused the two Spanish nationals of links to Spain’s secret service and alleged they were planning to assassinate a local mayor. Spanish media reported that Spain’s government has denied these claims.
The three U.S. citizens and the Czech national were accused of involvement in terrorist activities, including alleged plans to assassinate President Nicolas Maduro and other officials. Cabello also claimed that about 400 rifles originating from the United States had been seized.
“These groups seek to seize the country’s wealth, and we as a government will respond firmly to any destabilization attempt,” Cabello stated during a press conference.
The U.S. State Department confirmed that “a U.S. military member” had been detained in Venezuela and said it was aware of unconfirmed reports of two additional U.S. citizens being held. However, it categorically rejected Venezuela’s claim of U.S. involvement in any plot to overthrow the government.
“Any claims of U.S. involvement in a plot to overthrow Maduro are categorically false,” a State Department spokesperson said. “The United States continues to support a democratic solution to the political crisis in Venezuela.”
Spain’s foreign ministry has requested more information from Venezuela and is seeking access to the detained Spanish citizens to verify their identities and nationalities, and to learn the specific charges against them.
The arrests occur against a backdrop of heightened diplomatic tensions. Venezuela recently recalled its ambassador to Spain for consultations and summoned the Spanish ambassador after a Spanish minister accused Maduro of running a “dictatorship.” Venezuela was also angered by Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez’s meeting with Venezuelan opposition candidate Edmundo Gonzalez Urrutia, who recently went into exile in Spain after facing arrest threats from Maduro’s regime.
These developments follow the July 28 presidential election, which the United States and other countries have refused to recognize as legitimate, instead backing opposition candidate Gonzalez Urrutia as the rightful winner.
As investigations into the alleged destabilization plot continue, the international community watches closely, with concerns about the potential impact on regional stability and diplomatic relations between Venezuela and Western nations.
