Venezuela Detains Spanish, American, and Czech Nationals for ‘Destabilization’ – Reuters

CARACAS (Reuters) – Venezuelan authorities have arrested two Spaniards, three U.S. citizens, and a Czech national on suspicion of being connected to alleged plans aimed at destabilizing the country, according to a top official on Saturday.

A representative from the U.S. State Department confirmed that "a U.S. military member" was among those detained in Venezuela, and that there were unverified reports of two more U.S. citizens being held. However, the official rejected claims from Venezuelan authorities regarding U.S. involvement in any schemes to overthrow the government.

This announcement could further escalate tensions between Venezuela and both Spain and the United States, particularly following the contested presidential election in July.

Venezuelan Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello held a press conference where he alleged that the two Spaniards had ties to Spain’s intelligence services and were supposedly plotting to assassinate a local mayor. Spanish media reported that the Spanish government has denied these allegations.

Moreover, Cabello implicated the three U.S. citizens and the Czech national in various terrorist activities, including assassination plots against President Maduro and other officials. "These groups aim to seize the country’s wealth, and we will respond firmly to any effort at destabilization," Cabello stated, adding that authorities had confiscated approximately 400 rifles believed to have originated in the U.S.

The State Department reiterated that the U.S. is not involved in any operations to remove Maduro from power, asserting, "Any claims of U.S. involvement in a plot to overthrow Maduro are categorically false." The spokesperson emphasized that the U.S. supports a democratic resolution to Venezuela’s political crisis and mentioned that additional information is being sought while monitoring the situation closely.

A source from the Spanish foreign ministry indicated that Spain is seeking further details from Venezuela regarding the detained citizens. The source, who requested anonymity, noted that the Spanish embassy had formally requested access to the detainees to verify their identities and ascertain the specific charges against them.

Cabello mentioned that the Spanish nationals were taken into custody while photographing the town of Puerto Ayacucho. He asserted, "These individuals have ties—though they will deny it—links with the center," referring to Spain’s intelligence agency. He also remarked that Spain will determine its course of action regarding its involvement in Venezuela’s affairs.

This week, Venezuela recalled its ambassador to Spain for consultations and summoned the Spanish ambassador to the foreign ministry following comments from a Spanish minister labeling Maduro’s regime as a "dictatorship," which intensified already fraught diplomatic relations after the contentious election.

Tensions have also flared with the United States, particularly after it recognized opposition candidate Edmundo Gonzalez Urrutia as the victor of the July 28 election. Gonzalez Urrutia had recently gone into exile in Spain after facing threats of arrest from Maduro’s government.