Venezuela Arrests Foreign Nationals Over Assassination Plot

Venezuelan authorities have detained six foreign nationals, including three Americans, two Spaniards, and a Czech citizen, alleging their involvement in a CIA-led plot to assassinate President Nicolás Maduro and destabilize the government. Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello cited the seizure of over 400 rifles linked to the alleged plot and accused the detainees of planning terrorist acts. The U.S. State Department swiftly rejected these claims as 'categorically false' and confirmed that a U.S. military member was among those detained, alongside unconfirmed reports of two additional Americans. This incident follows heightened tensions between Venezuela and the U.S., exacerbated by the disputed presidential election on July 28, which has drawn international condemnation. Additionally, Spain’s parliament recently recognized the opposition candidate as the election's rightful winner, further straining relations. Maduro's government continues to portray external forces as conspiratorial threats amid ongoing unrest in the country.