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Venezuela claims to have seized 400 US rifles and arrested foreigners

Venezuela says it has seized 400 U.S. rifles and detained foreign nationals, including Americans, allegedly linked to an alleged plot to “destabilize” the country, which has been in crisis since disputed elections earlier this year, the country's Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello said in a press conference on Saturday. The minister said in addition to the Americans, two Spanish and one Czech nationals were arrested.Video above: U.S. Navy sailor held in Venezuela, multiple U.S. officials say A U.S. State Department spokesman said a member of the U.S. military had been detained in Venezuela and the department was aware of “unconfirmed reports of two other detained U.S. citizens” in the country.”Any allegations of U.S. involvement in a plot to overthrow (Venezuelan leader Nicolas) Maduro are categorically false,” the spokesman added. “The United States continues to support a democratic solution to the political crisis in Venezuela.” The ministry is seeking more information, the spokesman said. Venezuela is still grappling with the fallout from July's presidential election, in which Maduro claimed a third term despite global skepticism over the outcome and outcry from the country's opposition movement. The coalition backing opposition leader Edmundo Gonzalez insists the election was stolen and posted vote-counting records online that experts say suggest Maduro actually lost the presidency by a wide margin. The U.S. has recognized Gonzalez as the candidate who received the most votes in that election, but has not formally recognized him as Venezuela's elected president. Last week, Gonzalez flew to Spain after fleeing Venezuela with an arrest warrant accusing him of terrorism, conspiracy and other crimes. On Thursday, the U.S. imposed sanctions on Venezuelan officials allied with Maduro for allegedly obstructing the election. The US also announced that a Venezuelan plane used by Maduro for international travel was seized in the Dominican Republic; a second plane linked to Maduro is being monitored 24/7 by Dominican Republic authorities, a source familiar with the matter told CNN. Meanwhile, in Venezuela, Maduro's government has cracked down on dissent in what Human Rights Watch says is the harshest crackdown in years. Protests have been brutally repressed, some 2,400 people have been arrested and many others are currently fleeing the country. This story is ongoing and will be updated.

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Venezuela says it has seized 400 U.S. rifles and arrested foreign nationals, including Americans, linked to an alleged plot to “destabilize” the country, which has been in crisis since disputed elections earlier this year.

This was stated by the country's Interior Minister, Diosdado Cabello, at a press conference on Saturday. The minister said that in addition to the Americans, two Spanish and one Czech citizens had also been arrested.

Video above: A U.S. Navy sailor is being held in Venezuela, according to several U.S. officials

A US State Department spokesman said a member of the US military had been arrested in Venezuela. The department was aware of “unconfirmed reports of the detention of two other US citizens” in the country.

“Any allegations that the United States is involved in a plot to overthrow (Venezuelan leader Nicolas) Maduro are categorically false,” the spokesman added. “The United States continues to support a democratic solution to the political crisis in Venezuela.”

The ministry is looking for further information, the spokesman said.

Venezuela is still grappling with the aftermath of July's presidential election, in which Maduro claimed a third term despite global skepticism about the outcome and turmoil within the country's opposition movement.

The coalition supporting opposition leader Edmundo González insists that the election was rigged and published vote count lists online that experts say suggest that Maduro actually lost the presidential election by a wide margin.

The United States recognized González as the candidate with the most votes in that election, but did not officially recognize him as the elected president of Venezuela.

Last week, Gonzalez flew to Spain after fleeing Venezuela with an arrest warrant accusing him of terrorism, conspiracy and other crimes.

On Thursday, the US imposed sanctions on Venezuelan politicians allied with Maduro for allegedly interfering with the election. The US also announced that a Venezuelan plane used by Maduro for international travel was seized in the Dominican Republic; a second plane linked to Maduro is being monitored 24/7 by Dominican Republic authorities, a source familiar with the matter told CNN.

In Venezuela, Maduro's government has now cracked down on dissidents – according to Human Rights Watch, the harshest crackdown in years. Protests were brutally suppressed, around 2,400 people were arrested and many others are now fleeing the country.

This is a developing story and will be updated.

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