Washington, D.C. — The US State Department has firmly denied allegations of CIA involvement in a purported plot to assassinate Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, following claims by Venezuelan authorities. The department dismissed the accusations as “categorically false,” reiterating the US’s commitment to a democratic resolution to Venezuela’s ongoing political crisis.
Allegations of a Plot
Venezuelan Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello alleged that a recent plot to “destabilize” Venezuela, involving six foreign nationals, was orchestrated by the CIA with the aim of assassinating Maduro. The detainees include an American identified as Wilbert Castañeda, a US Navy SEAL, along with two other Americans—David Estrella and Aaron Barrett Logan—two Spanish citizens, José María Basoa Valdovinos and Andrés Martínez Adasme, and a Czech national, Jan Darmovzal.
The Venezuelan government has also claimed to have seized 400 US rifles linked to the alleged plot. Cabello accused the CIA and Spain’s National Intelligence Center of spearheading the operation, which he said had objectives targeting Maduro and other high-ranking Venezuelan officials.
US and Allied Reactions
The US State Department, in response to the claims, stated that the allegations are entirely unfounded and affirmed that the US is focused on supporting a democratic solution in Venezuela. The department has confirmed the arrest of a US military member in Venezuela and is seeking further information regarding the detentions of other American citizens.
A Spanish foreign ministry source revealed that Spain has requested information from Venezuela regarding the detained Spanish nationals, seeking to verify their identities and understand the nature of their accusations.
The Czech Republic’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has confirmed the detention of a Czech citizen and is in contact with the individual’s family through the Czech embassy in Bogotá, which is managing the matter due to the absence of a Czech embassy in Venezuela.
Context of the Political Crisis
The allegations come amidst ongoing turmoil in Venezuela following the July presidential election, in which Nicolás Maduro claimed a third term despite widespread skepticism about the election’s legitimacy. The National Electoral Council (CNE) of Venezuela declared Maduro the victor, but many, including opposition leader Edmundo Gonzalez and international observers, have raised concerns about the transparency and fairness of the electoral process.
The European Union has criticized the election as “undemocratic,” with EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell describing Maduro’s regime as “dictatorial and authoritarian.” The US has recognized Gonzalez as the candidate with the most votes but has not officially acknowledged him as president-elect.
Sanctions and International Actions
In response to the political crisis, the US has imposed sanctions on Venezuelan officials and seized a plane used by Maduro for international travel. Additionally, a second plane linked to Maduro is under surveillance in the Dominican Republic.
Inside Venezuela, the Maduro government has intensified its crackdown on dissent, leading to widespread protests, arrests, and a significant number of people fleeing the country. Human Rights Watch has reported the harshest crackdown in years, with over 2,400 arrests and severe restrictions on political activities.
The situation remains fluid as international bodies and governments continue to react to the unfolding events in Venezuela.
