Venezuela Accuses Foreign Nationals of Terrorism Amid Diplomatic Crisis
Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro has escalated diplomatic tensions with Spain by accusing two Spanish citizens, José María Basoa and Andrés Martínez Adasme, of being terrorists and undercover agents linked to the National Intelligence Centre (CNI). These claims, made during his television program, Con Maduro +, come without any substantiating evidence and have been vehemently denied by the Spanish government. The families of the detainees assert that they entered Venezuela as tourists on August 17, raising further questions about the validity of Maduro's allegations.
The accusations against the Spanish nationals occur in the context of a broader diplomatic crisis that has intensified since the disputed presidential elections in July. Following the elections, which saw international pressure on Maduro to validate his claims of victory, tensions escalated when the Spanish Congress recognized opposition candidate Edmundo González Urrutia as the legitimate president. In retaliation, Maduro’s administration has taken a hardline stance against Spain, including threats to expel Spanish businesses from Venezuela. The Venezuelan foreign minister has summoned the Spanish ambassador for consultations, signaling the seriousness of the situation.
U.S. Involvement Denied Amid Allegations of Assassination Plot
Compounding the diplomatic fallout, Venezuelan authorities have detained six foreigners, including a U.S. Marine, William Joseph Castañeda Gómez, whom they allege was leading a plot to assassinate President Maduro. Diosdado Cabello, Venezuela's Interior Minister, claimed that the operation was orchestrated by the CIA and involved Spanish intelligence. The U.S. State Department has categorically denied these allegations, labeling them as false and asserting that the United States supports a democratic resolution to Venezuela's ongoing political crisis.
In addition to the Americans, two Spaniards and a Czech citizen were arrested, with Venezuelan officials claiming to have seized 400 weapons linked to the alleged plot. The Spanish government has demanded proof of the accusations and is seeking access to the detained citizens to verify their identities and the nature of the charges against them. As the situation unfolds, the Spanish Foreign Ministry has reiterated its commitment to a peaceful solution for Venezuela.
Venezuela's Political Crisis Deepens
Venezuela remains mired in a political crisis following the July elections, which were marred by allegations of fraud and repression. The opposition coalition has declared that the elections were stolen, with evidence suggesting that Maduro lost the presidency. The U.S. has recognized González as the candidate with the most votes but has not formally acknowledged him as president. Meanwhile, the Maduro government has intensified its crackdown on dissent, leading to thousands of arrests and a humanitarian crisis as many flee the country for safety. The U.S. recently imposed sanctions on Maduro's officials for obstructing the electoral process, further complicating the geopolitical landscape in the region.
