Venezuela arrests Spanish, American and Czech citizens for “destabilization”

CARACAS, Sept 14 (Reuters) – Two Spaniards, three U.S. citizens and a Czech have been arrested in Venezuela on suspicion of links to alleged plans to destabilize the South American country, a senior Venezuelan official said on Saturday.

A US State Department spokesman said that “one US military personnel” had been arrested in Venezuela and that there were unconfirmed reports that two other US citizens had been detained. However, he rejected Venezuela's claim that the US was involved in a plot to overthrow the government.

Venezuela's announcement is likely to exacerbate existing tensions with Spain and the United States following the controversial presidential election in July.

Venezuelan Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello said in a press conference that two Spaniards allegedly had links to the Spanish secret service and were planning the assassination of a mayor.

Spanish media reported that the Spanish government had rejected this claim.

Cabello also accused three U.S. citizens and a Czech national of involvement in terrorist attacks, including alleged plans to assassinate Maduro and other officials.

“These groups want to seize the country's wealth and we as a government will firmly oppose any attempt at destabilization,” Cabello said. He added that around 400 rifles from the United States had been confiscated.

The State Department said the United States was not involved in an attempt to overthrow leftist Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro.

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

“We are looking for more information. We are closely monitoring the situation,” the official added, but declined to provide further details due to privacy concerns.

A source in the Spanish Foreign Ministry told Reuters that Venezuela had been asked for further information.

“The Spanish embassy has sent a verbal communication to the Venezuelan government requesting access to the detained citizens to verify their identity and nationality and to find out exactly what they are accused of,” said the source, who spoke on condition of anonymity.

The Spanish nationals were arrested while taking photographs in the city of Puerto Ayacucho, Cabello said.

“These citizens have connections – we know they will say no, that it is a lie – they have connections to headquarters,” Cabello said, referring to the Spanish secret service.

“Spain will decide what to do if it continues to interfere in Venezuela's affairs.”

Venezuela recalled its ambassador to Spain for consultations this week and summoned the Spanish ambassador to the Foreign Ministry after a Spanish minister accused Maduro of running a “dictatorship,” marking another diplomatic escalation following the disputed presidential election.

Venezuela also expressed anger at the decision of Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez to meet with Venezuelan opposition candidate Edmundo González Urrutia, who went into exile in Spain last week after being threatened with arrest by Maduro's regime.

In addition, new tensions have arisen between Caracas and the United States after the latter recognized opposition candidate González Urrutia as the winner of the July 28 elections.

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