Venezuela seizes arms, detains foreigners in CIA-led anti-state plot
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The Venezuelan authorities confiscate weapons owned by the opposition to carry out a CIA-led plot aimed at inciting violence in the country.
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A Venezuelan national flag strung from The Walk of the Heroes monument flutters in the wind before the start of an Independence Day military parade, in Caracas, Venezuela, Friday, July 5, 2024. (AP)
Three US citizens, two Spaniards, and a Czech have been arrested in Venezuela on suspicion of links to plans to destabilize the South American country, a top Venezuela official said on Saturday.
A spokesperson for the US State Department confirmed the detainment of "a US military member" in Venezuela and said it was aware of unconfirmed reports of two additional US citizens being detained there.
Venezuelan Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello in a press conference accused two Spaniards of being linked to Spain's secret service and planning the assassination of a mayor.
Cabello also accused three US citizens and a Czech of involvement in terrorist acts, including plans to assassinate Maduro and other officials.
"These groups seek to seize the country's wealth, and we as a government will respond firmly to any destabilization attempt," Cabello said.
He added that over 400 weapons originating in the United States and that the Venezuelan "fascist and extremist" opposition sought to use to incite chaos and destabilize the country were seized, the Venezuelan Interior Minister said.
Ivan Simonovis, who had been appointed by opposition figure Juan Guaido as the Special Security and Intelligence Commissioner of Venezuela, was exposed as one of the leaders of the arms smuggling network, Cabello revealed, adding that he is "a fugitive from Venezuelan justice." He further confirmed that one of the detainees was also a US soldier named Wilbur Joseph Castañeda.
Cabello explained that the US military conducted training for the group in Colombia, calling on the US government to clarify the use of its agencies and its territory to smuggle weapons to overthrow a democratically elected government.
"The United States is behind this operation. They are delivering these weapons so that they can freely mobilize and reach Venezuela. They can say whatever they want, but their agents admit it," he said.
The Venezuelan Interior Minister stated that the US soldier was the head of the operation sent by the CIA to Venezuela, pointing to his connection to "criminal groups" in the country.
Cabello said the operation that was discovered was aimed at attacking water, electricity, and transportation facilities, among other targets in Venezuela, warning that the country was "under the siege of imperialism."
The extent of US interference in Venezuela
In a related context, President Nicolas Maduro revealed a few days ago that during negotiations with the United States, plans to assassinate him were uncovered, along with violent schemes targeting military units and political power centers within the country. He stated that confessions from the planners and executors were obtained and that the evidence was presented. However, he claimed that "their media machines have deliberately concealed these facts."
He also noted that the US government "has failed to take meaningful steps to fully implement the agreed-upon lifting of sanctions, as originally promised."
"I make this statement today to highlight how the levers of power operate in global geopolitical and diplomatic arenas, aiming to deceive," Maduro stressed.
This comes after Venezuela decided to host the preliminary global conference against fascism. This conference will be a major gathering of leaders and representatives from around the world who support the fight against imperialism, colonialism, and fascism.
