France has called on its nationals to avoid travelling to Venezuela unless they absolutely have to after Venezuelan authorities said they had arrested six foreigners for allegedly plotting to “destabilise” the country.
In a travel advisory published Sunday, the French foreign ministry urged French nationals to put off travel to Venezuela, and called on those who are there to stay away from political demonstrations or meetings and avoid making any public statements about the political situation in the country.
The ministry said this was due to a “resurgence of tensions” following the 28 June presidential election which sparked mass opposition protests against Nicolas Maduro’s contention that he won.
A large part of the international community, including the European Union, has not recongised Maduro’s win because of alleged electoral fraud. The United States has recognised opposition candidate Edmundo Gonzales the winner.
On Sunday the Venezuelan Interior Minister announced the arrest of six foreign nationals, including three Americans, two Spanish and a Czech, accused of being involved in an alleged CIA-backed plot to assassinate Maduro.
The United States has rejected the accusations from Venezuelan Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello, who said that hundreds of arms had been confiscated, and said the detainees had "contacted French mercenaries” to try to attack Venezuela.
The arrests come after the US placed 16 senior government officials under sanctions Thursday, and the Spanish parliament earlier this week recognised Gonzalez, who has taken refuge in Spain, as the winner of the election.
(with AFP)
