Venezuela Detains Three Americans Over Alleged U.S. Plot to Assassinate Maduro

Venezuela's socialist regime announced the arrest of three U.S. citizens and three Europeans on Saturday, accusing them of involvement in an alleged U.S.-backed plot to assassinate President Nicolás Maduro. The arrests were revealed by Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello, who claimed the group was part of a conspiracy aimed at toppling the embattled Venezuelan leader and destabilizing the country.

Among those arrested were two Spaniards and a Czech national, according to reports, as well as three Americans, one of whom is believed to be a member of the U.S. military. Cabello appeared on state television, declaring that the detained individuals were involved in a larger effort to seize Venezuela’s resources. He also announced the seizure of hundreds of rifles, which allegedly originated in the United States.

“These groups seek to seize the country’s wealth, and we as a government will respond firmly to any destabilization attempt,” Cabello said in a fiery speech broadcast across Venezuela. His comments reflect the Maduro regime's persistent narrative that the U.S. is working behind the scenes to undermine Venezuelan sovereignty, despite repeated denials from Washington.

The U.S. State Department responded swiftly, confirming that one of the detained Americans is a military servicemember and acknowledging reports of two other U.S. citizens being held. However, U.S. officials were quick to reject the Venezuelan government’s claims of involvement in a plot to assassinate Maduro.

“Any claims of U.S. involvement in a plot to overthrow Maduro are categorically false. The United States continues to support a democratic solution to the political crisis in Venezuela,” a State Department spokesman said, dismissing the accusations as unfounded. The spokesman added that the department is seeking more information on the situation and is monitoring it closely.

• The arrests come amid heightened tensions between Washington and Caracas following Venezuela's controversial July 28 election.

• The Maduro regime declared victory, but opposition tallies, published online, showed Maduro losing in a landslide. The U.S. and other international observers have questioned the legitimacy of the election.

• In response to the disputed election, the U.S. imposed sanctions on 16 top officials in Maduro's government, further escalating the ongoing diplomatic standoff.

While the United States has called for Maduro to step down and allow a peaceful transition of power, Maduro’s regime has resisted, with the Venezuelan Supreme Court, packed with Maduro loyalists, backing his election victory. Reports have surfaced suggesting that the Biden administration considered offering Maduro and his inner circle amnesty if he were to step aside, though U.S. officials have denied those claims.

The deepening crisis in Venezuela has sparked widespread protests, with demonstrators accusing the government of corruption and electoral fraud. The regime's violent crackdown on dissent has led to dozens of deaths and hundreds of injuries. The situation has become increasingly volatile, with the Venezuelan government continuing to lash out at foreign actors it claims are behind attempts to destabilize the country.

As investigations into the alleged assassination plot continue, the arrests of these foreign nationals are likely to increase diplomatic tensions between the United States and Venezuela, which have already been strained for years due to the Maduro regime's repressive tactics and Washington’s calls for democratic reforms.

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