Venezuela accuses the CIA of plotting to destabilize the country during the election crisis.
Caracas, Venezuela – In a startling development, Venezuelan authorities announced the arrest of six foreigners, including a U.S. Navy SEAL, for allegedly plotting to “destabilize” the nation, which has been embroiled in turmoil following disputed elections earlier this year.
Allegations of a CIA-led operation
Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello, during a news conference on Saturday, accused the CIA of orchestrating the plot aimed at assassinating President Nicolás Maduro. “The CIA is at the forefront of this operation,” Cabello asserted, further alleging Spain’s National Intelligence Center’s involvement. “That does not surprise us at all,” he added.
Cabello identified the purported Navy SEAL as William Joseph Castañeda Gómez, whom he claimed was the leader of the operation. He also named two other Americans, David Estrella and Aaron Barrett Logan, as being part of the plot.
Arrests and seizures
The minister revealed that in addition to the Americans, two Spanish citizens—José María Basoa Valdovinos and Andrés Martínez Adasme—and one Czech citizen, Jan Darmovzal, were arrested. Authorities reportedly seized 400 U.S. rifles linked to the alleged plot.
U.S. and international responses
The U.S. State Department swiftly denied the allegations as “categorically false.” A spokesperson confirmed the arrest of a U.S. military member in Venezuela and acknowledged “unconfirmed reports of two additional U.S. citizens detained” in the country. “Any claims of U.S. involvement in a plot to overthrow Maduro are categorically false,” the spokesperson emphasized, reiterating America’s support for a democratic resolution to Venezuela’s political crisis.
Meanwhile, a Spanish foreign ministry source informed Reuters that Spain is seeking more information from Venezuela. “The Spanish embassy has sent a verbal note to the Venezuelan government asking for access to the detained citizens in order to verify their identities and their nationality and in order to know what they are accused of exactly,” the source said, speaking on condition of anonymity.
Venezuela’s political crisis deepens
Venezuela remains in the throes of a severe political crisis following the July presidential election, where Maduro claimed a third term amid widespread skepticism and opposition outcry. The coalition supporting opposition leader Edmundo Gonzalez has published vote tally sheets online, suggesting Maduro lost by a significant margin. The U.S. has acknowledged Gonzalez as having received the most votes but has not formally recognized him as president-elect.
Gonzalez recently fled to Spain after an arrest warrant was issued against him on charges of terrorism and conspiracy. The U.S. has imposed sanctions on Venezuelan officials aligned with Maduro for allegedly obstructing the election and has seized a Venezuelan plane used by Maduro for international travel in the Dominican Republic.
Crackdown and repression
Inside Venezuela, the Maduro government has executed what Human Rights Watch describes as the harshest crackdown on dissent in years. Protests have been met with fierce repression, resulting in around 2,400 arrests and prompting many to flee the country.
As the situation continues to unfold, the international community watches closely, with diplomatic maneuvers and sanctions shaping the landscape of Venezuela’s ongoing crisis.