3 U.S. citizens, 2 Spaniards held over alleged plot to "destabilize" Venezuela
CBSN
Three American citizens, two Spaniards and a Czech citizen have been detained in Venezuela on suspicion of plotting to destabilize the country through "violent actions," the government said Saturday, adding that hundreds of weapons had been seized.
The Venezuelan government identified the men detained on Saturday in an online video. One of them was identified as an American Navy sailor detained in Venezuela earlier this month while visiting the country on personal travel, several U.S. officials confirmed to CBS News. The enlisted sailor is a petty officer first class and formerly a Navy SEAL who was assigned to a West Coast team, several U.S. officials and a senior Defense Department official told CBS News.
Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello said that the five were held on suspicion of planning an attack on President Nicolas Maduro and his government. The arrests come amid heightened tensions between Venezuela and both the U.S. and Spain over Venezuela's disputed July 28 presidential election, which the country's opposition accuses Maduro of stealing.
