The US State Department has firmly denied any involvement in a purported assassination plot against Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, following the Venezuelan government’s announcement of the arrest of six foreigners, including three Americans, two Spaniards, and a Czech national.
The allegations surfaced when Diosdado Cabello, Venezuela’s interior minister, appeared on state television to accuse the arrested individuals, including a US Navy member, of participating in a CIA-led scheme to overthrow Maduro and assassinate several top officials. Cabello displayed images of confiscated rifles purportedly linked to the alleged conspirators.
In response, the US State Department acknowledged the detention of a US military member and noted unverified reports of two additional US citizens being held in Venezuela. However, the department rejected any claims of US involvement, calling them "categorically false" and reaffirming its support for a democratic resolution to Venezuela's political crisis.
This development follows recent US Treasury sanctions imposed on 16 of Maduro’s allies, accused of obstructing voting in the disputed July 28 presidential election and committing human rights abuses.
Amid the escalating tensions, Spain’s parliament recently recognized opposition candidate Edmundo Gonzalez as the election winner, a move that has angered Maduro’s supporters and led to calls for severed ties between Venezuela and Spain. The Venezuelan government has faced internal unrest, with hundreds of opposition activists arrested following the election.
Venezuela's electoral council, aligned with the Maduro administration, reported that Maduro won with 52% of the vote, though detailed results were not disclosed. Opposition activists, who managed to collect and publish data from 80% of voting machines, claimed Gonzalez won with a substantial lead over Maduro.
Despite international criticism, Venezuela’s Supreme Court, which supports Maduro, confirmed his victory in August. Subsequently, charges of conspiracy were filed against Gonzalez, who fled to Spain after facing imminent arrest.
Maduro, who has been in power since 2013, has consistently accused the US of attempting to overthrow his government through sanctions and covert operations. The Venezuelan administration has previously leveraged the detention of Americans for political gain. In a notable 2023 agreement, Maduro released 10 Americans and a fugitive wanted by the US in exchange for a presidential pardon for Alex Saab, a close Maduro ally accused of money laundering and aiding in evading US sanctions.
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