The United States reported that Venezuela has detained an American military personnel, with unconfirmed reports suggesting the arrest of two additional Americans.
A U.S. State Department spokesperson stated, “We are aware of unconfirmed reports concerning the detention of two other citizens.”
On the same day, the Venezuelan government announced the arrest of three Americans, two Spaniards, and a Czech national for their alleged involvement in a conspiracy to destabilize the country.
Approximately 400 rifles, claimed by Caracas to have been imported from the United States, were seized.
The U.S. State Department spokesperson vehemently denied Venezuela’s allegations of American involvement, labeling them “utterly false.”
In response to the political tensions, Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado called for renewed protests on September 28 against the re-election of President Nicolas Maduro for a third term and to support her exiled candidate in Spain.
Machado declared on social media, “On September 28, we will raise our voices so the world recognizes Edmundo Gonzalez as the president of Venezuela and Maduro realizes his time is up.”
Edmundo Gonzalez Urrutia, threatened with imprisonment in Venezuela, has fled to Spain where he was granted asylum and later met with Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez. The opposition claims Gonzalez Urrutia won the presidential election with over 60% of the voter turnout.
However, Venezuela’s National Electoral Council announced Maduro’s victory with 52% of the votes, a result upheld by the Supreme Court, both institutions being accused of bias towards the government.
Following the announcement of Maduro’s re-election, spontaneous opposition protests erupted, resulting in 27 deaths, 192 injuries, and approximately 2400 arrests, according to official sources.
While the European Union (EU) has yet to recognize Maduro’s victory, Washington has acknowledged Gonzalez Urrutia as president.
On Thursday, the United States imposed sanctions on 16 individuals close to Maduro, accusing them of “obstructing the presidential elections.”
