(Caracas) Venezuelan authorities have arrested an American and two Spaniards accused of being linked to an alleged plot to “destabilize” the country, the government announced Saturday, reporting the seizure of some 400 rifles from the United States.
“Two Spanish citizens were recently arrested in Puerto Ayacucho (south),” Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello said at a press conference, adding that an “American citizen” was also behind bars.
The minister spoke of an alleged plan aimed at “generating violence” and “destabilizing” the country.
Diplomatic relations between Venezuela and Spain have deteriorated significantly since Thursday and statements by Spanish Defense Minister Margarita Robles, who called Venezuela a “dictatorship.”
The remarks coincided with the reception by Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez of Venezuelan opposition candidate Edmundo Gonzalez Urrutia, who arrived in Spain on Sunday after fleeing Venezuela, where he was the subject of an arrest warrant.
Mr Gonzalez Urrutia claims victory in the July 28 presidential election against incumbent President Nicolas Maduro, who was officially declared the winner for a third term, although the full vote count has not been released.
The United States recognized Mr. Gonzalez Urrutia as president-elect and announced sanctions on Thursday against 16 associates of Mr. Maduro for “obstructing” the presidential election.