CNN —Venezuela says it has seized 400 US rifles and arrested foreigners, including Americans, who it claims are linked to an alleged plot to “destabilize” the country, which has been in crisis since disputed elections earlier this year.
The minister said that in addition to the Americans, two Spanish citizens and one Czech citizen were arrested.
A US State Department spokesperson said a member of the US military had been arrested in Venezuela, and said the department was “aware of unconfirmed reports of two additional US citizens detained” in the country.
“Any claims of U.S. involvement in a plot to overthrow (Venezuelan leader Nicolas) Maduro are categorically false,” the spokesperson added.
Protests have been fiercely repressed, some 2,400 people have been arrested, and many others are now fleeing the country.
Persons:
Diosdado Cabello, ”, Nicolas, Maduro, Edmundo Gonzalez, Gonzalez
Organizations:
CNN, US State Department, US, Human Rights Watch
Locations:
Venezuela, Venezuelan, United States, Spain, Dominican Republic