The government claims that the intelligence agencies of the US and Spain are involved // 400 American-made rifles seized
▲ The Venezuelan Ministry of the Interior exhibited long weapons allegedly seized from the group of 14 individuals who planned to destabilize the nation.Afp Photo
AFP and Europa Press
The newspaper La Jornada
Sunday, September 15, 2024, p. 19
Caracas. Three Americans, two Spaniards and a Czech citizen were arrested in Venezuela for being linked to an alleged plan to destabilize and generate violent actions In the oil-producing country, Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello announced yesterday that 400 American-made rifles were also seized.
In total, 14 people have been arrested, who are believed to be related to the Venezuelan opposition leader and right-wing politician, María Corina Machado, Cabello said, adding that the United States Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) and the Spanish National Intelligence Center (CNI) are leading the operation.
Washington has rejected Venezuela’s accusations of a plot to overthrow Maduro, and government sources from the Spanish Foreign Ministry said that the two Spaniards detained in Venezuela – accused of being members of the CNI – do not belong to the Spanish intelligence services, government sources in Madrid told Europa Press.
Two Spanish citizens were captured in Puerto Ayacucho: José María Basua and Andrés Martínez AdasmeCabello said. They speak of active participation, that they are part of a contingent of mercenaries from the Spanish government, through its Intelligence Center, to attack the country.continued the Minister of the Interior.
Cabello announced the arrests of three Americans: Wilbert Josep Castañeda, active military from the United States, pointed out by the minister as boss of the plan; Star David and Aaron Barren Logan.
He mentioned Venezuelan opposition leaders who were reportedly aware of the conspiracy, such as Juan Pablo Guanipa, Carlos Vecchio, Julio Borges and María Corina Machado. They are linked here by what these gentlemen are confessing.and warned that: Justice will come to them.
Re-election triggers the uprising
Hours earlier, Cabello said that the arrested foreigners were involved in plans terroristswhich included attempting to kill President Maduro and Vice President Delcy Rodríguez, as well as directing maneuvers to destabilize the country, following the elections of July 28 in which Maduro was proclaimed re-elected, amid allegations of fraud.
On the detainees’ phones, mercenaries who have come to Venezuelathe authorities found links for the purchase of C4 explosives in order to start rebellions in prisons and from prisons go out to take these weaponsCabello said.
The plan included terrorist attacks against water, electricity and transport facilities, as well as causing computer crashes in the systems of state agencies.
The criminal objectives include an attack on the Argentine embassy in Caracas, where several Venezuelan opposition figures are seeking refuge. Imagine, a bomb, an explosive (…). What the Argentine embassy was going to do, who in the world were they going to point the finger at? Venezuela.he indicated.
High-caliber weapons
The minister also reported on the seizure of more than 400 rifleswhich were for terrorist acts promoted by political sectors.
In that context, Venezuela’s accusations that the United States is involved in a plot to destabilize the government and carry out an attack against Maduro are categorically falsea State Department spokesman said yesterday.
The official confirmed that a US soldier was detained and said Unconfirmed reports of two more US citizens detained in Venezuela.
Sources from the Spanish Foreign Ministry clarified that the Spanish embassy in Caracas sent a verbal note to the Venezuelan government requesting access to the detainees in order to verify their identities and nationality.
The objective of the Spanish embassy is know exactly what they are accused of and that they can receive all the necessary assistance.
On another topic, Delcy Rodríguez, vice president of Venezuela, met yesterday with the Spanish multinational Repsol to discuss the plans of energy cooperationdespite the diplomatic clash between Venezuela and Spain.
Our country continues to advance in its energy cooperation plans and in alliances with companies that, like Repsol, trust and invest in the world’s largest oil reserve.Rodriguez said, according to the state-run channel Venezuelan Television.