Venezuelan government officials detained one US citizen and reportedly arrested several others in a raid aimed at countering an alleged assassination plot against Dictator Nicolas Maduro.
Venezuelan media claim government officials additionally seized hundreds of firearms intended for distribution amongst Venezuelans preparing an attack on the regime’s leaders.
Among the arrested are three Americans, two Spaniards, and one Czech.
The US has only confirmed the detainment of one US citizen, a member of the armed forces.
Venezuelan Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello claimed American Wilber Joseph Castañeda, an alleged US Navy Seal, had been leading an operation to overthrow the Venezuelan government before his arrest.
The US government has denied participation in any assassination plot.
Dictator Maduro has faced increased pressure to relinquish power following his defeat in Venezuela’s July presidential elections.
Maduro has refused to accept opposition candidate Edmundo Gonzalez’s victory in the recently held presidential elections.
Venezuela’s elections follow failed negotiations between Venezuela’s government and President Biden’s administration over electoral assurances in exchange for sanctions relief.
Despite promises of allowing free and fair elections, the Venezuelan regime barred opposition leader Maria Corina Machado from participating in the same.
However, Machado invested her political capital into former Venezuelan Ambassador Edmundo Gonzalez, who subsequently won the presidential elections.
Meanwhile, Venezuelan gangs have been reportedly increasing their operations across American cities.
US lawmakers are responding to Venezuelan gang 'Tren de Aragua’ reportedly increasing its activities across the U.S.
Tren de Aragua is Venezuela’s largest gang with an estimated 5,000 members and has recently been linked to numerous criminal investigations in the US.
US Senator Rick Scott (R-FL) blamed President Joe Biden for the gang’s increased activity.
“This is the state of our country thanks to the lawless Biden-Harris agenda & dangerous rhetoric from the radical left,” said Senator Scott.
Americans are watching the media cover yet ANOTHER assassination attempt on @realDonaldTrump and MORE violent gangs wreaking havoc in our cities.
This is the state of our country thanks to the lawless Biden-Harris agenda & dangerous rhetoric from the radical left.
— Rick Scott (@SenRickScott) September 16, 2024
