Venezuela Detains Six, Including Three Americans, over Plot against Maduro
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – Venezuelan authorities have arrested three American, two Spaniards and a Czech citizen on suspicion of plotting to destabilize the country and carry out violent actions against President Nicolas Maduro's government, Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello announced on Saturday.
Cabello revealed during a news conference that the six detainees were suspected of planning an attack aimed at Maduro and his government.
Cabello stated that the operation was led by the United States Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) with the goal of assassinating Maduro, adding that hundreds of rifles were discovered as part of the plot.
He identified one of the detained Americans as US Navy SEAL William Joseph Castaneda Gomez, who Cabello said was responsible for organizing the operation on behalf of the CIA.
Two other detained Americans were named as David Estrella and Aaron Barrett Logan.
Additionally, two Spaniards, identified as Jose Maria Basoa Valdovinos and Andres Martinez Adasme, along with one Czech national, Jan Darmovzal, were also arrested in connection with the alleged plot.
Cabello reported that 400 American-made rifles were seized from the group.
The arrests come amid strained relations between Venezuela and both the United States and Spain over the recent re-election of Maduro in the July 28 presidential race.
Following the election, opposition candidate Edmundo Gonzalez Urrutia fled the country last week after losing in the polls.
Gonzalez was flown to Madrid on a Spanish Air Force plane after taking refuge in Spain’s embassy in Caracas for several days.
Venezuela’s Attorney General, Tarek Saab, stated that the Venezuelan government had reached an agreement with Madrid to allow Gonzalez safe passage.
Maduro’s deputy said the decision to permit Gonzalez’s exit was made to restore “political peace” in Venezuela.
However, Spain’s foreign ministry denied any formal talks with Venezuela over Gonzalez Urrutia’s departure.
Venezuela summoned Spain’s ambassador for discussions and recalled its own envoy to Spain for consultations, while warning Spain against interference in its domestic affairs.
Washington and its allies, including Spain, have recognized Gonzalez Urrutia as the legitimate winner of the election.
In response, the US imposed sanctions on 16 Venezuelan officials on Thursday, accusing them of obstructing a transparent electoral process.
Venezuela condemned the US sanctions as a “crime of aggression.”
Maduro, who has previously survived US assassination attempts, said that he is the target of "imperialist" plots aimed at dismantling socialism and seizing control of Venezuela’s oil resources.