Venezuela arrests US military member and Spain, Czech nationals for 'destabilization'

CARACAS, Venezuela – Two Spaniards, three U.S. citizens and a Czech have been arrested in Venezuela on suspicion of links to alleged plans to destabilize the South American country, a top Venezuela official said on Saturday.

A spokesperson for the U.S. State Department said that “a U.S. military member” had been detained in Venezuela and that it was aware of unconfirmed reports of two additional U.S. citizens being detained there, but rejected a Venezuelan claim of U.S. involvement in any plot to overthrow the government.

The Venezuelan announcement is likely to deepen the country’s already substantial tensions with Spain and the United States after Venezuela’s disputed presidential election in July.

Venezuelan Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello in a news conference said two Spaniards were allegedly linked to Spain’s secret service and planning the assassination of a mayor.

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/venezuela-arrests-us-military-member-and-spain-czech-nationals-for-destabilization/ar-AA1qAW5x