US State Department Denies Involvement in Venezuela's Political Turmoil Amid Detentions
Amid escalating tensions in Venezuela following its disputed presidential election, the U.S. State Department has firmly denied any involvement in a purported plot to overthrow President Nicolás Maduro. An unnamed spokesperson released this statement late Sunday, following claims from the Venezuelan government that several foreign nationals were detained on charges of destabilizing the country through violent means.
The Venezuelan authorities announced the detention of three Americans, two Spaniards, and a Czech national, alleging their participation in conspiracy theories involving acts of violence. The U.S. State Department later confirmed the detention of an American soldier in Venezuela and acknowledged reports of two other U.S. citizens also being held in the country.
Despite these claims, the U.S. spokesperson reiterated its commitment to fostering a democratic solution in Venezuela's ongoing political crisis. "The United States continues to support a democratic solution to the political crisis in Venezuela," the spokesperson stated.
Venezuela’s Interior Minister, Diosdado Cabello, accused the detained Spaniards of having ties to the Spanish intelligence services and allegedly plotting an assassination of a local mayor. However, the Spanish government has rejected these allegations, suggesting they lack substantiation.
Cabello did not stop there; he leveled accusations against the three American citizens and the Czech national, claiming their involvement in terrorist activities, including plans for an assassination attempt on Maduro and other officials. Adding fuel to the fire, Cabello announced that Venezuelan authorities had seized around 400 rifles linked to the United States.
These developments are set to exacerbate tensions not only with the United States but also with Spain, particularly following the controversial elections held on July 28. The election, in which Maduro's victory was proclaimed with 51% of the votes, has been marred by allegations of fraud, as the opposition claims that the true winner was Edmundo González Urrutia. Furthermore, the data pertaining to the election results has never been released, causing further frustration among opposition groups.
Both the United States and several nations across Latin America and Europe have previously refused to recognize Maduro's electoral victory, raising questions about the legitimacy of his presidency. As the political landscape in Venezuela remains fraught with uncertainty, these recent claims and counterclaims underscore the complex interplay of international relations and domestic governance in the country.
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