Following an assassination attempt on Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, the United States has firmly denied allegations made by the Venezuelan government, accusing the CIA of participation in the plot.
Venezuelan officials announced the arrest of six foreign nationals, including three Americans, claiming they were part of a plan to destabilize the country. The US government swiftly rejected these claims, describing them as "categorically false."
The accusations surfaced as tensions between US-Venezuela relations continue to rise, particularly following disputed elections in Venezuela earlier this year. Venezuelan Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello, in a televised address, alleged that the CIA was behind a plot to kill Maduro and other high-ranking officials.
“The CIA is leading this operation,” Cabello stated, further claiming that more than 400 weapons were seized as part of the investigation.
What Was the US Response to the Arrests?
Venezuela's accusations follow the arrest of three Americans, two Spaniards, and a Czech national, whom Cabello referred to as "mercenaries" working to overthrow the government.
He claimed the detainees had been in contact with European mercenaries, aiming to carry out violent acts within Venezuela. “These detainees were planning to assassinate President Nicolas Maduro and other members of our government,” he added, accusing the group of preparing for terrorist acts.
In response, the US State Department confirmed the detention of a US military member but denied any involvement in the alleged plot. “Any claims of US involvement in a plot to overthrow Maduro are categorically false,” a State Department spokesperson said.
They emphasized that the US continues to support a peaceful and democratic solution to the political crisis in Venezuela, dismissing the assassination plot as baseless.
About the Rising Tensions Between the US and Venezuela
The allegations come at a time of heightened tensions in the US-Venezuela relations. The accusations followed the imposition of sanctions by the US Treasury on 16 senior Venezuelan officials accused of obstructing voting in the recent election and committing human rights violations.
The Venezuelan election results, which declared President Nicolas Maduro the winner, were contested by the opposition and sparked widespread protests within the country.
Cabello’s accusations also extended to Spain, alleging that the two detained Spaniards were linked to Spain’s National Intelligence Centre (CNI).
However, Spain has categorically denied any involvement, stating, “Spain denies and categorically rejects any insinuation that it is involved in a political destabilization operation in Venezuela.” Spanish authorities have since requested more information regarding the detentions.
The Root of the Ongoing Disputes
Tensions between Venezuela and the US have been steadily escalating over the past few years. President Nicolas Maduro has repeatedly accused the US of attempting to overthrow his government through covert operations and economic sanctions.
He has also claimed that the opposition’s candidate, Edmundo Gonzalez, is backed by foreign governments, including the US, in an effort to destabilize the country.
The political situation in Venezuela has been fraught with disputes over election results, with opposition activists claiming that tally sheets indicate Gonzalez was the true winner of the election. Despite international condemnation, Venezuela’s Supreme Court confirmed Maduro’s victory, while opposition leader Gonzalez, last week, fled to Spain to avoid arrest.
The Venezuelan government has used detained Americans as leverage in the past. In 2023, the government secured the release of several high-profile figures in exchange for American prisoners, a tactic that has led to speculation about whether the recent detentions could be part of a broader strategy.
However, the US government continues to reject these accusations, calling for a peaceful resolution to the ongoing political crisis.
Final Note
As the situation develops, the allegations of CIA involvement and the arrests of foreign nationals will likely add further strain to the already tense US-Venezuela relationship.
For now, both sides remain firm in their positions, with the US continuing to deny any role in the alleged plot to assassinate President Nicolas Maduro.
Where would this lead to? Let’s all keep our fingers crossed as things unfold!