Venezuela thwarts plots to target elections, oil facilities
3 Min Read
Venezuelan authorities have dismantled a reported terrorist plot involving opposition figures Maria Corina Machado and Juan Pablo Guanipa.
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Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro speaks after voting in legislative and local elections in Caracas, Venezuela, Sunday, May 25, 2025. (AP)
Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro has announced the successful dismantling of a sophisticated terrorist plot allegedly orchestrated by extremist factions linked to opposition figures, including Maria Corina Machado and Juan Pablo Guanipa.
The planned operation aimed to sabotage Venezuela’s May 25 regional and legislative elections through acts of violence and destabilization.
Read more: Maduro celebrates victory in Venezuela elections as PSUV dominates
Maduro denounces terrorist plot tied to opposition figures
Speaking publicly, Maduro condemned the conspiracy as an act of moral decay driven by foreign-backed interests. He stated that the plot was financed by international networks, including those associated with Salvadoran President Nayib Bukele and Venezuelan opposition leader Leopoldo Lopez.
Maduro emphasized that Venezuela’s security forces, through vigilance and swift action, apprehended over 70 individuals involved in the operation, thereby safeguarding electoral integrity.
He notably referred to Machado as “the evil devil,” underscoring the government's view of her role in attempts to destabilize the country.
Read more: Maduro exposes US fingerprints in terror plot to destabilize Venezuela
Massive weapons seizure, sabotage prevention
In a related context, Venezuela's Vice President Diosdado Cabello reinforced Maduro's remarks by detailing the recovery of more than 400 military-grade weapons, many of which originated from the United States. These weapons were allegedly intended for attacks on diplomatic missions and key infrastructure sites.
“We found people in Zulia, Caracas, Carabobo and Los Teques with an arsenal intended to disrupt the country’s peace,” Cabello said during a press briefing. He revealed that the arrested individuals had ties to a right-wing terrorist organization and planned a series of attacks, including targeting embassies and international offices in Venezuela.
NGOs accused of backing extremism
Further investigations, including the arrest of Juan Pablo Guanipa, revealed communications linking him to NGOs such as Medicos Unidos de Venezuela, PROVEA, and Penal Forum. Authorities claim these organizations provided cover for extremist operations under the pretense of human rights advocacy.
Cabello also pointed to evidence of planning meetings held in Colombia, allegedly involving Machado and Ivan Simonovis. A cache of arms, missiles, and explosives was seized, along with a notebook attributed to Guanipa.
The Venezuelan government further accused former Colombian presidents Juan Manuel Santos, Ivan Duque, and Alvaro Uribe of financially supporting the terrorist plot, highlighting the extent of international involvement.
Government response and security measures
In response to the threat, the government said it suspended flights from Colombia to prevent further infiltration by mercenary elements.
Cabello reported that over 60 attacks on oil facilities were thwarted in the 10 days leading up to the May 25 vote.
“No human rights defender could justify planting bombs in hospitals,” the minister stressed, rejecting the opposition’s claims of peaceful activism.
He also denounced what he described as foreign-backed media harassment campaigns targeting Venezuelan public officials, labeling them part of a transnational far-right agenda.
