Venezuela Detains Foreign Nationals Over Alleged Destabilisation Plot

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Cabello stated that the six individuals were accused of planning attacks against President Nicolas Maduro's government. He also claimed that the two Spaniards had connections to Spain’s secret service and were involved in a plot to assassinate a local mayor. The two Spaniards were reportedly detained while taking photographs in the town of Puerto Ayacucho. Spain’s foreign ministry has denied involvement in any destabilisation efforts.

Cabello further alleged that the detained US citizens and the Czech national were involved in planning terrorist activities, including the assassination of President Maduro. He also mentioned that around 400 rifles believed to have originated in the US had been seized.

A spokesperson for the US State Department confirmed the detention of a US military member and acknowledged reports of two additional US citizens being detained. The State Department denied any involvement in efforts to overthrow the Maduro government, stating that the US continues to support a democratic resolution to Venezuela’s political situation.

Tensions have increased between Venezuela and Western countries, particularly the US and Spain, over the results of the July election, which declared Maduro the winner. Venezuela recently recalled its ambassador to Spain following a meeting between Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez and Venezuelan opposition candidate Edmundo Gonzalez, who left Venezuela for Spain after facing threats of arrest.