Photo credit: Euro News
Venezuela has arrested six foreigners, including a US Navy SEAL, for an alleged plot to “destabilize” the country that has been in crisis since disputed elections earlier this year.
CNN reports that Diosdado Cabello, the Interior Minister, claimed that the CIA led the alleged plot and it aimed at assassinating Nicolas Maduro, the country’s leader. However, the US State Department has rejected the claim as false.
Venezuela’s opposition, many Latin America’s leaders and the United States have refused to recognize Maduro’s election victory, which has been followed by deadly protests during which thousands were arrested.
In a news conference on Saturday, Cabello identified the purported Navy SEAL as William Joseph Castaneda Gomez. He claimed Gomez was the leader of the operation. The minister also named two detained Americans.
He also said two Spanish citizens, Jose Maria Basoa Valdovinos and Andres Martinez Adasme, and one Czech citizen, Jan Darmovzat were arrested. The authorities in the country have also seized 400 US rifles linked to the alleged plot.
Venezuela is still grappling with the fallout from its presidential election in July. Mauro claimed a third term despite global skepticism about the result and outcry from the country’s opposition movement.
The coalition backing opposition leader Edmundo Gonzalez insists that the vote was stolen. It published tally sheets, which experts say indicate Maduro lost the election significantly.
