Top Venezuelan official Diosdado Cabello announced on Tuesday that another American citizen has been detained in the country.
Speaking at the government-friendly National Assembly, Cabello said that the person was being followed by local law enforcement. "He was taking pictures of electricity, oil and military facilities," Cabello said.
The official went on to say that "this is not the first time" the person is in the country and that he is "part of the plan against Venezuela."
Overall, four Americans have been recently detained in the country, where the Maduro authoritarian government has increased its crackdown following the July 28 election fallout, where the government claimed victory without showing any supporting documentation.
Venezuela also accused the U.S. of orchestrating a plot to assassinate Nicolás Maduro and arrested six foreigners, including a U.S. Navy SEAL. The State Department strongly rejected the allegations, labeling them as "categorically false."
Cabello named Wilbert Castañeda, the detained U.S. Navy SEAL, as the operation's ringleader. Two other U.S. citizens—David Estrella and Aaron Barrett Logan—were also identified as suspects. The Venezuelan government claims that the men were part of a broader effort involving the seizure of 400 U.S.-manufactured rifles to carry out the plot. In addition to the Americans, Cabello reported the arrest of two Spanish nationals and one Czech citizen.
Reports indicate that Castañeda was apprehended in Caracas in August. U.S. authorities confirmed that Castañeda is a Navy SEAL who had traveled to Venezuela, though details of his mission remain murky. Last week, Venezuela's attorney general, Tarek William Saab, said the sailor, identified as a Mexican-American, was under investigation for entering the country without proper documentation.
Spain and the Czech Republic confirmed the arrests of their citizens. According to Reuters, a source from Spain's foreign ministry said that the two Spanish citizens had no links to the Spanish secret service and Spain was not involved in any plan to politically destabilize Venezuela. The Czech embassy in Bogotá is assisting the family of the detained Czech citizen since the country does not have diplomatic representation in Venezuela.
The U:S. recently increased sanctions on key Venezuelan officials linked to the Maduro administration. Additionally, U.S. authorities recently seized a Venezuelan plane allegedly used by Maduro for international travel. Another aircraft connected to the embattled leader remains under surveillance in the Dominican Republic.
Meanwhile, Maduro's government has intensified its crackdown on political dissent, arresting over 2,400 protesters in what Human Rights Watch has described as the most severe repression in years. As the crisis deepens, many Venezuelans continue to flee the country, seeking refuge from the ongoing political and economic turmoil.
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