Venezuela arrests Spain, US citizens and Czechoslovakia for ‘subversion’ By Reuters
CARACAS (Reuters) – Two Spaniards, three American citizens and a Czech citizen have been arrested in Venezuela on suspicion of being linked to alleged sabotage of the South American country, a senior Venezuelan official said on Saturday.
A US State Department spokesman said a “member of the US military” was detained in Venezuela and was aware of unconfirmed reports of two US citizens detained there, but rejected Venezuela’s claim of US involvement in any coup plot. the government.
The announcement by Venezuela is likely to deepen the tensions that have already taken place between Spain and the United States after Venezuela’s presidential election in July.
The Minister of the Interior of Venezuela, Diosdado Cabello, in a press conference, said that two Spaniards are suspected of having connections with the Spanish secret service and planning the assassination of the mayor.
Spanish media reported that the Spanish government denies the claim.
Cabello also accused three US citizens and a Czech of being involved in acts of terrorism, including alleged plots to kill Maduro and other officials.
“These groups want to seize the country’s wealth, and we as the government will respond strongly to any attempts to destabilize it,” said Cabello. He added that 400 guns were taken from America.
The State Department said the US was not involved in the attempt to overthrow Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro.
“Any allegations that the US is involved in a plot to overthrow Maduro are false,” the spokesman said. “The United States continues to support a democratic solution to the political crisis in Venezuela.”
“We want more information. We are closely monitoring the situation,” the official added, while declining to provide more details due to privacy concerns.
A Spanish foreign ministry source told Reuters it was asking Venezuela for more information.
“The Spanish embassy has sent a message to the Venezuelan government asking for access to the detained citizens to confirm their identity and nationality and to know what they are accused of,” said the source, speaking on condition of anonymity.
The Spaniards were arrested while filming in the town of Puerto Ayacucho, Cabello said.
“These citizens have deer – we know they will deny it, that it is a lie – they have connections with this agency,” said Cabello, referring to the Spanish intelligence service.
“Spain will decide what to do, if it continues to interfere in the affairs of Venezuela.”
Venezuela recalled its ambassador to Spain this week for talks and summoned the Spanish ambassador to appear before the foreign minister after the Spanish minister accused Maduro of “dictatorship,” escalating diplomatic tensions following a disputed presidential election.
Venezuela was also angered by the decision of Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez to meet with Edmundo Gonzalez Urrutia, who represents the opposition in Venezuela, who was exiled to Spain last week after being threatened with arrest by the Maduro regime.
Caracas also has new tensions with the United States, which saw opposition candidate Gonzalez Urrutia as the winner of the July 28 election.
