Maduro Claims Foiled Plot as US Halts Diplomacy

Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro says security forces foiled a suspected “false flag” plot to plant explosives at the U.S. embassy in Caracas that would have been blamed on his government amid a reported U.S. military build-up off Venezuela’s coast. U.S. President Donald Trump reportedly ordered special envoy Richard Grenell to stop diplomatic outreach to Caracas, a move U.S. outlets say could clear the way for possible military escalation or efforts to remove Maduro. Washington has stepped up strikes on vessels it says were smuggling drugs near Venezuelan waters, raised its reward for information leading to Maduro’s arrest to $50 million, and labeled certain cartel members as unlawful combatants. Maduro rejects U.S. accusations of drug links, portrays U.S. actions as efforts to topple him, and says Venezuela will defend itself if attacked. The combination of the alleged false-flag plot, halted diplomacy, intensified U.S. military activity, and legal designations has sharply heightened the risk of a U.S.–Venezuela confrontation.