According to Venezuelan authorities, the American was detained in Caracas while photographing sensitive sites, including electrical infrastructure, oil facilities, and military units.
Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello stated that the individual was linked to a broader plot against the country, which allegedly included plans to assassinate Maduro and other high-ranking officials, including Cabello himself. In recent weeks, three additional Americans, two Spaniards, and a Czech national have also been detained under similar accusations.
A U.S. State Department representative commented that the government was aware of the unconfirmed reports regarding the arrest but dismissed any allegations of U.S. involvement in efforts to overthrow Maduro, emphasizing the United States’ ongoing support for a peaceful resolution to Venezuela’s political crisis.
Earlier, on Saturday, Cabello announced the arrest of the other foreign nationals, accusing them of working for intelligence services and collaborating with the Venezuelan opposition. One of the arrested Americans was identified as U.S. Navy sailor Wilbert Joseph Castaneda, who was detained earlier in the month. The Biden administration later confirmed Castaneda’s detention.
Governments in Washington, Madrid, and Prague have strongly denied any connection to an assassination plot and have demanded further details about the status of their detained citizens. Meanwhile, Maduro claimed that all of those arrested had confessed.
Tensions between Venezuela and the U.S. have been escalating, with the U.S. backing opposition candidate Edmundo González Urrutia as the legitimate winner of the election. Last week, the U.S. imposed sanctions on 16 Venezuelan officials, accusing them of obstructing a fair electoral process.
Relations between Venezuela and Spain have also deteriorated significantly. González Urrutia, 75, fled to Spain after receiving threats of arrest. Following his exile, Venezuela recalled its ambassador from Spain and summoned Spain’s envoy for discussions after Spanish officials criticized Maduro’s government. Spain’s Prime Minister, Pedro Sánchez, further heightened tensions by meeting with González Urrutia, prompting warnings from Venezuela to avoid interference in its internal affairs.
