Venezuelan authorities have arrested six foreign nationals, including three US citizens, two Spaniards, and one Czech citizen, accusing them of plotting to destabilize the country. The group is alleged to have planned the assassination of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and other top government officials, according to Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello. The arrests follow rising tensions between Venezuela, the US, and Spain, with Washington recently sanctioning 16 Venezuelan officials closely aligned with Maduro.

Cabello claimed that the detainees, arrested along with a cache of hundreds of weapons, were acting under the influence of the CIA and Spain’s National Intelligence Centre (CNI). However, Spanish authorities have denied any involvement, stating that the two Spanish citizens detained have no connection to their intelligence services.

Arrest and Alleged Plot Details

Cabello made the announcement during a news conference, explaining that the operation led to the confiscation of 400 firearms. He also accused the detainees of reaching out to mercenaries from France and Eastern Europe with the objective of assassinating key figures in the Venezuelan government, including Vice President Delcy Rodriguez and Cabello himself. The two Spaniards were reportedly arrested in Puerto Ayacucho, a town in southern Venezuela.

The US State Department swiftly rejected the accusations, categorically denying any US involvement in a plot to overthrow Maduro. “Any claims of US involvement in a plot to overthrow Maduro are categorically false,” the State Department said, reaffirming its stance of supporting a democratic solution to Venezuela’s ongoing political crisis.

Rising Tensions with the US and Spain

The arrests come amid growing tension between Venezuela and both the US and Spain. Two days before the arrests, Washington imposed sanctions on 16 Venezuelan officials tied to Maduro’s disputed re-election. US Treasury officials accused Maduro of using illegitimate means to claim victory and of leading a brutal crackdown on political opposition and free speech in the country.

Relations between Spain and Venezuela also worsened recently. Venezuelan Foreign Minister Yván Gil summoned the Spanish ambassador to Caracas to protest the description of the Maduro government as a “dictatorship” by a Spanish minister. Meanwhile, Spanish authorities have formally requested additional information from the Venezuelan government and access to the detained Spanish nationals.

Disputed Election and Opposition Allegations

The backdrop to these events is Maduro’s contested re-election in July 2024. While Venezuela’s National Electoral Council (CNE) declared Maduro the winner, it has not released any detailed voting data to support the claim. Opposition leaders have countered with their own data, alleging that their candidate, Edmundo González, was the actual winner.

The arrests, alleged assassination plot, and ongoing tensions underscore the volatile political situation in Venezuela, where accusations of foreign interference and internal repression have heightened the political crisis. As both the US and Spain seek diplomatic clarity, the situation in Venezuela remains uncertain amid international scrutiny.