Sun Sep 15 02:57:00 UTC 2024: ## Venezuela Arrests Six Foreign Nationals Over Alleged CIA Plot to Assassinate Maduro

**CARACAS, VENEZUELA** – Venezuela has arrested six foreign nationals, including three US citizens, on suspicion of involvement in a CIA-led plot to assassinate President Nicolas Maduro. The arrests come amid mounting international pressure on Maduro’s government over allegations of election fraud in the recent presidential election, which he claimed to have won.

Venezuela’s Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello announced the arrests on state television, naming the US military member as Wilbert Joseph Castaneda Gomez, a member of the US Navy. The US State Department confirmed the detention of a US military member and stated they were aware of reports of two additional US citizens detained in Venezuela. The US government vehemently denied any involvement in a plot to overthrow Maduro and reiterated their commitment to a democratic solution in Venezuela.

The arrests follow recent sanctions imposed by the US on 16 allies of Maduro for alleged voter obstruction and human rights abuses during the disputed July 28th election. Additionally, Spain’s parliament recognized opposition candidate Edmundo Gonzalez as the election winner, angering Maduro’s allies who called for the suspension of relations with Spain.

The contested election results sparked protests within Venezuela, leading to the arrest of hundreds of opposition activists. The Venezuelan Electoral Council, closely aligned with Maduro, declared his victory with 52% of the vote, but failed to provide a detailed breakdown of the results. However, opposition activists collected tally sheets from 80% of the nation’s voting machines, suggesting Gonzalez won the election with twice as many votes.

Venezuela has faced international condemnation for the lack of transparency surrounding the election. The country’s Supreme Court, which supports Maduro, confirmed his victory in August before filing charges against Gonzalez, who fled to Spain last week.

Maduro has refused to provide evidence of his election victory, claiming the US is out to remove him from power. This isn’t the first time his administration has used American prisoners for leverage. Last year, Maduro released ten Americans and a fugitive in exchange for the pardoning of one of his close allies.

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