Fourth U.S. Citizen Reportedly Detained in Suspected Plot Against Venezuelan Leader

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Venezuela detains a fourth American citizen in an alleged plot to assassinate President Nicolas Maduro, escalating tensions with the United States.

At a Glance

Venezuela arrests fourth U.S. citizen over alleged assassination plot against President Maduro.
American detained for photographing sensitive sites in Caracas.
U.S. State Department denies involvement, calls claims “categorically false.”
Six other foreigners, including three Americans, also arrested recently.
Tensions rise amid disputed Venezuelan election results.

Fourth American Detained in Venezuela

Venezuelan authorities have reportedly apprehended a fourth U.S. citizen as part of an ongoing investigation into an alleged assassination attempt on President Nicolas Maduro’s life. The American was reportedly detained in Caracas for taking photographs of sensitive locations, including electrical installations, oil facilities, and military units. This arrest follows the recent detainment of three other Americans, two Spaniards, and one Czech individual, all allegedly linked to the same plot.

Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello claimed that the detained American was “part of the plot against Venezuela, the plot against our country.” The Venezuelan government alleges that the broader conspiracy involves the CIA, Spain’s intelligence agency, organized crime groups, and opposition members.

U.S. Denies Involvement

The U.S. State Department has vehemently rejected any involvement in a plot to overthrow Maduro. A State Department spokesperson stated that they were “aware of unconfirmed reports” of the fourth American’s arrest, adding that “any claims of U.S. involvement in a plot to overthrow Maduro are categorically false. The United States continues to support a democratic solution to the political crisis in Venezuela.”

Despite these denials, Venezuelan President Maduro claims that all the arrested individuals have confessed to their involvement in the alleged plot. One of the Americans previously detained was identified as U.S. Navy sailor Wilbert Joseph Castaneda, whom Venezuelan authorities claim is a Navy SEAL.

Escalating Tensions

This series of arrests comes amid heightened tensions between Venezuela and several Western nations, including the United States and Spain. The situation has been exacerbated by the disputed July 28 elections, which led to widespread protests. The U.S., Spain, and the European Union have acknowledged opposition leader Edmundo Gonzalez Urrutia as the legitimate winner, conflicting with Maduro’s stance.

In response to the disputed election, the U.S. has imposed new sanctions on 16 Venezuelan officials for obstructing a transparent electoral process. Meanwhile, Venezuela has recalled its ambassador to Madrid and summoned Spain’s envoy for talks after a Spanish minister accused Maduro of running a dictatorship.

International Reactions

Washington, Madrid, and Prague have demanded information from Venezuela about their detained citizens. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken has pledged to continue advocating for democratic freedoms in Venezuela during a virtual meeting with opposition leaders. The international community remains concerned about the political situation in Venezuela and the treatment of foreign nationals within its borders.

As tensions continue to escalate, the fate of the detained Americans and other foreign nationals remains uncertain. The situation underscores the complex geopolitical landscape surrounding Venezuela and its relations with Western nations, particularly the United States.