The US state department has denied any involvement in an alleged assassination plot against Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, after Venezuelan officials announced the arrest of three Americans, two Spaniards, and a Czech. The claims of a CIA-led plot to overthrow the Venezuelan government and kill its leadership were made by the Venezuelan interior minister on state television. The US military member detained in Venezuela was confirmed by the state department, with reports of two additional US citizens also being detained.
Tensions between Venezuela and the US have been escalating, with the US imposing sanctions on Maduro allies accused of obstructing voting during the disputed presidential election. Despite international condemnation and opposition activists collecting tally sheets that indicate a different result, the Venezuelan electoral council confirmed Maduro’s victory.
The Maduro administration has dismissed requests for proof of his victory and has accused the US of attempting to overthrow him. In the past, Americans imprisoned in Venezuela have been used as bargaining chips, such as in a 2023 deal to secure a presidential pardon for a close Maduro ally.
The election results, which sparked protests and arrests of opposition activists, have further strained relations between Venezuela and the US. The US continues to support a democratic solution to the political crisis in Venezuela. Despite Maduro’s claims of US interference, the situation remains tense with questions surrounding the validity of the election results.
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