Venezuela thwarts CIA scheme to assassinate Maduro, says interior minister
Venezuelan Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello has announced that multiple foreign nationals have been arrested in connection with a “terrorist” conspiracy. Read Full Article at RT.com.
TroibNews 
Venezuela’s security service has reportedly disrupted a plot allegedly backed by the CIA to assassinate President Nicolas Maduro and carry out acts of terrorism, according to the interior minister. Diosdado Cabello stated that authorities have detained two Spanish nationals, one Czech, and three US citizens, including an active-duty member of the American military, while also seizing several hundred military-grade firearms.
In July, Maduro was re-elected for a third term, garnering 52% of the vote in a highly disputed presidential election. The opposition has accused the government of electoral fraud, and as a result, the US, EU, most Latin American countries, and the G7 have refused to acknowledge Maduro as the legitimate leader of Venezuela. The Venezuelan government has, in response, accused Washington of attempting a coup.
In an interview with Telesur, Cabello identified a US citizen named Wilbert Castaneda, a decorated member of a Navy SEAL unit that has served in Afghanistan and Iraq, as the leader of one of the purported groups. Castaneda was apprehended on September 1, according to the minister.
A spokesperson from the US Department of State confirmed to the EFE media outlet that several American citizens, including an active serviceman, have been detained in Venezuela. However, the official “categorically” rejected any claims of US governmental involvement in a conspiracy to remove Maduro from power.
Cabello also disclosed that two Spanish nationals, identified as José María Basoa Valdovinos and Andres Martinez Adasme, were detained in the southern part of the country. He asserted that they were linked to Spain’s National Intelligence Center, a claim that Madrid disputed.
The alleged conspiracy reportedly involved mercenaries and Venezuelan criminal organizations, with plans that included orchestrating mass riots in prisons across the nation. Cabello reported that the group managed to smuggle in around 400 firearms, which Venezuelan security forces subsequently confiscated, and they were also supposedly attempting to acquire C4 plastic explosives.
The interior minister suggested that the entire operation was orchestrated by the White House and the CIA, aiming to assassinate Maduro, Vice President Delcy Rodriguez, and himself. Additionally, Cabello claimed that the suspected conspirators planned to execute a false-flag operation targeting the Argentinian embassy in Caracas, intending to blame the Venezuelan government.
Furthermore, the group was said to have intentions of attacking public utilities and transportation infrastructure throughout Venezuela. “We want the world to know that Venezuela is under siege by [forces of] imperialism,” Cabello stated, attributing the situation to “far-right” elements domestically. He further alleged, “Spain has to do with this, and the US is managing this operation."
Alejandro Jose Martinez contributed to this report for TROIB News
In July, Maduro was re-elected for a third term, garnering 52% of the vote in a highly disputed presidential election. The opposition has accused the government of electoral fraud, and as a result, the US, EU, most Latin American countries, and the G7 have refused to acknowledge Maduro as the legitimate leader of Venezuela. The Venezuelan government has, in response, accused Washington of attempting a coup.
In an interview with Telesur, Cabello identified a US citizen named Wilbert Castaneda, a decorated member of a Navy SEAL unit that has served in Afghanistan and Iraq, as the leader of one of the purported groups. Castaneda was apprehended on September 1, according to the minister.
A spokesperson from the US Department of State confirmed to the EFE media outlet that several American citizens, including an active serviceman, have been detained in Venezuela. However, the official “categorically” rejected any claims of US governmental involvement in a conspiracy to remove Maduro from power.
Cabello also disclosed that two Spanish nationals, identified as José María Basoa Valdovinos and Andres Martinez Adasme, were detained in the southern part of the country. He asserted that they were linked to Spain’s National Intelligence Center, a claim that Madrid disputed.
The alleged conspiracy reportedly involved mercenaries and Venezuelan criminal organizations, with plans that included orchestrating mass riots in prisons across the nation. Cabello reported that the group managed to smuggle in around 400 firearms, which Venezuelan security forces subsequently confiscated, and they were also supposedly attempting to acquire C4 plastic explosives.
The interior minister suggested that the entire operation was orchestrated by the White House and the CIA, aiming to assassinate Maduro, Vice President Delcy Rodriguez, and himself. Additionally, Cabello claimed that the suspected conspirators planned to execute a false-flag operation targeting the Argentinian embassy in Caracas, intending to blame the Venezuelan government.
Furthermore, the group was said to have intentions of attacking public utilities and transportation infrastructure throughout Venezuela. “We want the world to know that Venezuela is under siege by [forces of] imperialism,” Cabello stated, attributing the situation to “far-right” elements domestically. He further alleged, “Spain has to do with this, and the US is managing this operation."
Alejandro Jose Martinez contributed to this report for TROIB News
