Washington denies allegations of US plot targeting Venezuelan president

Hibapress

The US State Department has rejected allegations of CIA involvement in an alleged plot to target Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, after Caracas announced it had arrested six foreigners, including a US Navy member.

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.”

Venezuela announced Saturday that it had arrested three Americans, two Spaniards and a Czech citizen accused of being linked to an alleged plot to “destabilize” the country.

Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello claimed the plot was led by the CIA.

The developments come as the Venezuelan opposition, many Latin American leaders and the United States refuse to recognize Maduro’s election victory, which was followed by deadly protests.

The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) recently indicated that “the climate of fear has increased” in Venezuela since the proclamation of Nicolas Maduro’s victory in the presidential elections of July 28 in this South American country.