Venezuelan Regime Accuses Spain of Involvement in Terrorist Plot Amidst Detention of Two Spaniards
In a significant escalation of tensions, Venezuela's government announced the arrest of two Spanish nationals, José María Basoa Valdovinos, 35, and Andrés Martínez Adasme, 32, claiming their involvement in a purported plot to execute terrorist actions against President Nicolás Maduro. The announcement, made on Saturday, has further strained relations between Caracas and Madrid, with the Venezuelan authorities alleging that the pair are linked to Spain's National Intelligence Center (CNI).
The families of both men have vehemently disputed this claim, emphasizing that they were on vacation and had no affiliation with any government agency. Their last known contact occurred on September 2, when they were reported to have been traveling in Colombia before heading to Venezuela on August 17. Following their disappearance, their families turned to social media to raise awareness of their situation and reported their concerns to the police in Spain on September 9.
In the wake of these events, the Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs promptly denied any connection between the two detainees and the CNI. They clarified that the pair were not state agents and have sought to ensure their protection and rights following the arrest. Official sources within the ministry communicated that they are actively working to obtain access to the detained individuals to ascertain their identities and the reasons behind their detention.
The situation has heightened tensions between Caracas and Madrid, particularly after the Venezuelan Minister of the Interior, Diosdado Cabello, accused Spain of supplying mercenaries for an operation allegedly directed by the United States, which he claimed aimed to destabilize the Venezuelan government. In a pointed statement, Cabello asserted that the CNI was engaged in plans involving foreign mercenaries targeting key sites in Venezuela, including the Maiquetía International Airport.
Spain's response has been firm, with high-ranking officials dismissing the Venezuelan allegations and reiterating that no Spanish nationals involved with the CNI were participating in any operations against the Venezuelan government. The Spanish government emphasizes its commitment to the safety of its citizens abroad and has taken immediate measures to provide assistance to the detained individuals.
As the crisis unfolds, the tension highlights broader geopolitical issues in the region, with accusations flying between Madrid and Caracas about foreign influence and involvement in domestic affairs. The fate of Basoa Valdovinos and Martínez Adasme remains uncertain as both their families and the Spanish government tirelessly work to resolve the situation.
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