3 Americans Arrested In Venezuela Over Alleged Plot To ‘Destabilize’ Country

Three Americans have been detained in Venezuela on accusations of plotting to “destabilize” the country through “violent actions,” according to Venezuelan officials.

Venezuelan Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello claims that the group, which also includes two Spaniards and a Czech national, was involved in a scheme to attack Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his government. Cabello stated that authorities seized 400 rifles linked to this alleged plot. Among those arrested is an American identified as a Navy sailor who was in Venezuela for personal reasons earlier this month.

Cabello further alleged that the detained Americans and Spaniards were associated with their respective countries’ intelligence agencies. Additionally, he suggested that opposition leader Maria Corina Machado was involved, asserting that she provided evidence showing that Maduro lost the disputed July 28 presidential election to opposition candidate Edmundo Gonzalez Urrutia.

This development follows recent actions by the United States against Venezuelan officials. The U.S. Treasury Department imposed sanctions on 16 Venezuelan election officials accused of supporting Maduro and aiding his grip on power despite election results indicating his defeat. These officials are part of Venezuela’s National Electoral Council and Supreme Tribunal of Justice, accused of repressing citizens’ rights through intimidation, arbitrary detentions, and censorship.

In addition, the U.S. State Department has introduced visa restrictions on 2,000 individuals suspected of being “Maduro-aligned officials,” who are believed to be complicit in Venezuela’s election fraud.

The situation highlights ongoing tensions between the U.S. and Venezuela, with both countries at odds over political and human rights issues.