In Caracas, Venezuela, the government revealed the arrest of a fourth U.S. citizen in connection with an alleged plot to assassinate President Nicolás Maduro. The arrest was disclosed by Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello during a speech at the National Assembly. The recent detainee’s identity was not disclosed. This alleged plot is one of many anti-Maduro plans that the government claims to have thwarted this year.
Cabello emphasized during his speech that they will take action against anyone attempting to undermine Venezuela. The arrest came after an independent panel of experts supported by the United Nations’ Human Rights Council issued a critical report against Maduro’s government, accusing it of using extreme force following the disputed July presidential election.
The objective of the alleged plot, according to Cabello, is political. The U.S. citizen detained in Caracas was reportedly taking photos of key infrastructure and military sites. Cabello accused the CIA of orchestrating and financing the scheme, claiming Spain’s National Intelligence Center was aware of it.
A few days before this arrest, three Americans, two Spaniards, and a Czech citizen were also apprehended in relation to the same plan. One of the U.S. citizens was identified as Wilbert Joseph Castañeda Gomez, alleged to be a former Navy SEAL with service in Afghanistan, Iraq, and Colombia. The U.S. Department of State denied any involvement in overthrowing Maduro, stating support for a democratic solution to Venezuela’s political crisis.
Cabello mentioned connections between the alleged plot and sex workers who were reportedly in contact with the foreigners, as well as members of the primary opposition coalition. Tensions between Venezuela and the U.S. escalated following the contested election, which led to widespread protests, numerous arrests, and fatalities. The National Electoral Council, criticized for its Maduro-aligned composition, declared Maduro the winner without releasing detailed results.
In a surprising move, opposition members gathered data from 80% of the country’s electronic voting machines, suggesting a victory for Edmundo González over Maduro. The opposition’s actions have challenged the government’s election narrative.
