U.S. says claims of CIA plot to kill Maduro are 'categorically false' after Venezuela arrests six foreigners
CTV
The U.S. State Department has rejected claims of CIA involvement in an alleged plot to kill Venezuela's leader Nicolas Maduro, after Venezuelan authorities said they had arrested six foreigners, including a U.S. Navy SEAL.
The U.S. State Department has rejected claims of CIA involvement in an alleged plot to kill Venezuela's leader Nicolas Maduro, after Venezuelan authorities said they had arrested six foreigners, including a U.S. Navy SEAL.
The State Department called the allegations “categorically false,” adding in a statement that the United States “continues to support a democratic solution to the political crisis in Venezuela.”
The comments come after Venezuela said it had arrested the six for an alleged plot to “destabilize” the country that has been in crisis since disputed elections earlier this year.
Interior minister Diosdado Cabello claimed that the alleged plot was led by the CIA, and aimed at assassinating Maduro.
The accusation comes as Venezuela’s opposition, multiple Latin American leaders and the United States refuse to recognize Maduro’s disputed election win, which has been followed by deadly protests during which thousands were arrested.
In a news conference on Saturday, Cabello identified the purported Navy SEAL as Wilbert Castañeda, and claimed he was the leader of the operation. The minister also named two other detained Americans: David Estrella and Aaron Barrett Logan.
CNN earlier this month reported that Castañeda was arrested in Caracas in August. At the time U.S. authorities said he was a sailor who had traveled to Venezuela.
