In a dramatic incident that has intensified strained relations between Venezuela, Spain, and the United States, six foreign nationals, including three U.S. citizens, two Spaniards, and a Czech citizen, were arrested by Venezuelan authorities. The suspects have been accused of being involved in a covert plot to destabilize Venezuela, with plans that allegedly included the assassination of key political figures, including President Nicolás Maduro. Both Spain and the U.S. have categorically denied these claims.
Spain & U.S. Reject Allegations of Involvement
The Spanish government quickly responded to the arrests, rejecting any claim that the detained Spaniards were linked to Spain’s National Intelligence Center or any state agency. "Spain denies and absolutely rejects any insinuation of being implicated in an operation of political destabilization in Venezuela", a Spanish foreign ministry source stated. They confirmed that the arrested individuals were not connected to any intelligence operations and emphasized their commitment to a peaceful resolution in Venezuela.
The U.S. State Department also dismiss Venezuela’s accusations, labeling the claims of U.S. involvement in an alleged plot to assassinate President Maduro as "categorically false". A spokesperson further confirmed that one of the detainees is a U.S. military member, with "unconfirmed reports" of two additional U.S. citizens also being held.
Details of the Alleged Plot
Venezuelan Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello announced the arrests in a press conference, identifying the detained Spaniards as José MarÃa Basoa and Andrés MartÃnez Adasne and showing their photographs on state television. Cabello accused the arrested group of links to Spain’s secret service, while alleging that they, along with three U.S. citizens and a Czech national, were part of a larger plan to destabilize the country. According to Cabello, the plot included the assassination of political leaders such as Maduro, Vice President Delcy RodrÃguez, and Cabello himself.
Among the Americans detained, one has been identified as Wilbert Castañeda, whom Cabello claimed is a U.S. Navy SEAL. Venezuelan authorities assert that Castañeda was the leader of the operation. Two other Americans, David Estrella and Aaron Barrett Logan, were also named as part of the alleged conspiracy. The minister added that over 400 U.S. rifles had been seized in connection with the plot.
Worsening Diplomatic Relations
The arrests mark a low point in Venezuela’s already lowering relations with Spain and the U.S. Tensions had escalated after Venezuela’s disputed July presidential election, which saw Maduro claim a controversial third term. While the country’s opposition, led by Edmundo González, insisted the election was rigged and has to seeks Political Asylum in Spain. The U.S. and several Latin American leaders refused to recognize Maduro’s victory. Washington instead acknowledged González as the legitimate winner of the election, a move that further fueled tensions between the two nations.
The diplomatic row between Spain and Venezuela also deepened when Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez met with González in Spain, following the opposition leader’s exile from Venezuela. Sánchez’s decision was met with sharp criticism from Caracas, which recalled its ambassador to Spain in protest and summoned Spain’s ambassador to Venezuela for a formal reprimand. Spain’s defense minister further exacerbated tensions by publicly describing Venezuela’s government as a “dictatorship.”
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Impact of the Arrests on U.S.-Venezuela Relations
The U.S. has imposed a series of sanctions on senior Venezuelan officials, accusing them of corruption and human rights abuses in the wake of the contested election. Recently, the U.S. also seized a Venezuelan government plane linked to Maduro in the Dominican Republic, as part of the ongoing pressure campaign against the regime.
Inside Venezuela, the political crisis shows no signs of abating, with protests continuing despite the government’s crackdown on dissent. Human Rights Watch has described the crackdown as one of the worst in years, with over 2,400 individuals arrested, as widespread public discontent over Maduro’s governance grows.
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As Venezuela grapples with its political crisis, the recent arrests of foreign nationals accused of plotting to assassinate President Maduro have further strained diplomatic ties with the U.S. and Spain. While both countries deny involvement, the accusations highlight the increasing volatility in the region and underscore the deep divisions between Venezuela’s government and the international community. Whether this latest incident will lead to further diplomatic isolation or provoke new retaliatory measures remains to be seen.
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