Six foreigners arrested and accused of plotting to assassinate Maduro in Venezuela
Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro (photo: Getty Images)
In Venezuela, intelligence agencies have arrested three US citizens, two Spaniards, and a Czech national for their alleged involvement in a purported US-sponsored conspiracy. The aim of the conspiracy was reportedly to assassinate President Nicolás Maduro and several members of his government, reports Politico.
"These groups seek to seize the country’s wealth, and we as a government will respond firmly to any destabilization attempt," said Venezuelan Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello during a state television appearance.
He claimed that approximately 400 rifles from the US had been seized.
The US State Department confirmed that three American citizens, including one Navy serviceman, are being held in Venezuela but denied any connection to the alleged plot.
"Any claims of US involvement in a plot to overthrow Maduro are categorically false. The US continues to support a democratic solution to the political crisis in Venezuela," said a State Department spokesperson.
During his press conference on Saturday, the Venezuelan Interior Minister alleged that the Spanish citizens arrested had links to the Spanish intelligence service and were plotting to assassinate Maduro.
Persecution of the opposition
At the end of August, an arrest warrant was issued in Venezuela for Edmundo González, the main rival of President Nicolás Maduro in the presidential election, whom several Western countries consider to have won. The opposition leader is accused of inciting rebellion and conspiracy.
It has come to light that González was secretly sheltered for over a month at the Dutch embassy in Caracas. He recently flew directly to Spain, where he is expected to be granted political asylum.
