Venezuelan authorities have announced the detention of a fourth U.S. citizen in connection with an alleged plot to assassinate President Nicolás Maduro. This development comes amidst escalating tensions between Venezuela and the United States, following a disputed presidential election in July 2024.
Diosdado Cabello, Venezuela's Interior Minister, disclosed the arrest during an address to the National Assembly. The government claims that the plot involves a complex network of actors, including the CIA, Spain's intelligence agency, organized crime groups, sex workers, and members of the opposition.
"Those who try to mess with Venezuela, we will screw them, regardless of their name."
The alleged conspiracy adds to a series of anti-Maduro plots that the government claims to have thwarted in recent months. However, these claims come against a backdrop of severe economic crisis and political instability that has plagued Venezuela for years.
Venezuela, once the wealthiest nation in South America, possesses the world's largest proven oil reserves. However, since 2013, the country has been grappling with a devastating economic crisis, marked by hyperinflation that began in 2016. This economic turmoil has led to a collapse of the healthcare system and significant emigration.
The U.S. Department of State has categorically denied any involvement in plots to overthrow Maduro, stating, "The United States continues to support a democratic solution to the political crisis in Venezuela." This statement underscores the complex relationship between the two nations, further strained by U.S. sanctions on Venezuela's oil sector imposed in 2019.
The recent presidential election, held in July 2024, has been a source of contention. While the National Electoral Council, composed of Maduro loyalists, declared him the winner of a third six-year term, the opposition has challenged these results. They claim to have evidence suggesting that former diplomat Edmundo González received twice as many votes as Maduro.
This disputed election led to widespread protests across Venezuela, resulting in over 2,000 arrests and approximately two dozen fatalities. These events have drawn international attention, with a UN-backed panel of experts criticizing Maduro's government for deploying harsh repressive measures.
The ongoing political crisis in Venezuela is rooted in a complex history of attempted coups and instability. The Bolivarian Revolution, initiated by Hugo Chávez in 1999, marked a significant shift in the country's political landscape. Following Chávez's death in 2013, Maduro assumed the presidency, inheriting a nation already showing signs of economic strain.
As Venezuela continues to navigate these turbulent waters, the international community watches closely. The country's future remains uncertain, with its economy heavily reliant on oil exports and its people grappling with the consequences of years of political and economic turmoil.