BREAKING: CIA Plot to Assassinate Venezuelan President? Navy SEAL Among Those Captured

There is breaking news this morning that additional American service members are being held by Venezuelan authorities, with reports that a U.S. Navy SEAL is among those accused of trying to assassinate Venezuelan President Maduro.

Venezuela says it arrested 6 foreigners allegedly involved in a plot to kill President Maduro https://t.co/2LtAnahVkz

— The Associated Press (@AP) September 15, 2024

According to Fox News Digital, Venezuela is claiming a large amount of weapons were also seized, apparently in relation to the detainments.  This would not be the first time U.S. agencies were accused of running covert weapons to overthrow a foreign government, but details are sketchy at the moment.

On Saturday, Venezuela’s Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello said three Americans, two Spaniards and a Czech had been detained as they were accused of trying to assassinate Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and overthrow the Venezuelan government, Reuters reported.

During a press conference on Saturday, Cabello said the detainees were allegedly linked to plans to assassinate Maduro and other officials.

“These groups seek to seize the country’s wealth, and we as a government will respond firmly to any destabilization attempt,” Cabello said, adding that officials seized about 400 rifles originating in the U.S.

‘CIA-Led Maduro Murder Plot’ Foiled

Six foreign nationals, including three Americans, have been arrested by Venezuelan authorities in an alleged plot to assassinate President Nicolás Maduro. Among the detained are also two Spaniards and a Czech citizen. pic.twitter.com/Oaq5hXxwcM

— RT_India (@RT_India_news) September 15, 2024

Information is quickly changing with various reports floating around.  According to Venezuela, there are currently six foreigners being held in total including a Navy SEAL who they says is the ringleader of the alleged CIA operation to assassinate Maduro, as reported by CNN:

Venezuela says it has arrested six foreigners, including a US Navy SEAL, for an alleged plot to “destabilize” the country that has been in crisis since disputed elections earlier this year.

In a news conference on Saturday, Cabello identified the purported Navy SEAL as Wilbert Castañeda, and claimed he was the leader of the operation. The minister also named two other detained Americans: David Estrella and Aaron Barrett Logan.

“The CIA is at the forefront of this operation,” Cabello said in the news conference, claiming that Spain’s National Intelligence Center was also involved. “That does not surprise us at all,” he said.

He alleged that the operation had “very clear objectives of assassinating President Nicolás Maduro” and other high-ranking Venezuelan politicians including himself and the vice president.

According to ABC News reports, the U.S. State Department is currently denying the allegations:

“Any claims of U.S. involvement in a plot to overthrow Maduro are categorically false. The United States continues to support a democratic solution to the political crisis in Venezuela,” the statement continued.

This is a rapidly evolving story.  We will bring you updates as information becomes available.