Authorities uncovered a plot to assassinate president, vice president, interior minister; U.S. denies involvement
https://venezuelanalysis.com/news/venezuela-announces-arrest-of-us-navy-seal-weapons-seizure/
Note by Diana Barahona, editor of the imitation Real Raw News on Substack, which has no connection to realrawnews.com.
It’s my belief that Trump and Maduro are covert allies. I don’t know why there are no photos of the Navy SEAL, Wilbert Castañeda. This tells me that it’s a fictional name used by Trump’s men, and that this was a sting operation in conjunction with the rescue of slaves imprisoned in tunnels.
If my theory is true, then expect to see the “Biden” administration repeat what it did with a U.S. spy held by Russia, which was to pay $1 billion and release Russian nationals.
In exchange for the prisoners, I expect Venezuela to receive compensation for CITGO and for the sanctions imposed by Trump. The U.S. will also return Venezuela’s presidential plane.
Venezuelanalysis
Mexico City, Mexico, September 16, 2024 (venezuelanalysis.com) – Venezuelan Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello reported the arrest of a U.S. Navy SEAL alongside two Spanish citizens allegedly linked to intelligence agencies.
The foreign citizens are accused of plotting to assassinate President Nicolás Maduro and other high-ranking Venezuelan officials.
At a press conference on Saturday at the ministry’s headquarters, in front of some of the 400 seized firearms linked to the reported plot, Cabello accused Wilbert Joseph Castañeda, an active-duty U.S. sailor, of leading the effort on behalf of U.S. intelligence.
“Castañeda is the head of the operation, placed here by the CIA,” said Cabello.
Castañeda’s arrest was first reported earlier this month. At the time, White House Spokesperson John Kirby denied that the Navy serviceman was in Venezuela on official business and argued his travel was for personal reasons.
In his press conference, Cabello said the alleged assassination plot was uncovered after authorities were tipped off about a weapons shipment from the U.S. that was illegally smuggled into the country.
The alleged assassination plot was uncovered after authorities were tipped off about a weapons shipment from the U.S. that was illegally smuggled into the country.
“The U.S. is behind this operation. The U.S. is handing over these firearms. They allow them to freely circulate so they can arrive in Venezuela and be used in an operation,” said Cabello. He claimed the weapon parts were disguised in containers to be assembled upon arrival.
Cabello said the discovery of the firearms unraveled a “terrorist plot” that included attempts on the life of the president and high-ranking officials, such as Vice President Delcy Rodríguez and Cabello himself. He added that the conspirators aimed to attack public infrastructure, including water supplies, electricity, and transportation.
The interior minister said security forces had also uncovered a conspiracy to launch grenades at the Argentinian Embassy in Caracas in order to generate a diplomatic incident to blame on the Maduro government. Venezuela recently suspended an agreement that allowed Brazil to take custody of the Argentine diplomatic residence in Caracas where six individuals tied to the U.S.-backed opposition had sought asylum fleeing charges.
Venezuelan authorities likewise arrested five other foreigners in connection with the plots, including two Spanish citizens—José María Basoa Valdovinos and Andrés Martínez Adasme—who were accused of having ties to Spain’s National Intelligence Center.
Two other U.S. citizens, David Estrella and Aaron Barrett Logan, were also detained on charges of being hackers. Cabello went on to announce the arrest of a Czech individual by the name of Jan Darmovzal, who was supposedly brought into the conspiracy as a mercenary.
Two other U.S. citizens, David Estrella and Aaron Barrett Logan, were also detained on charges of being hackers.
The U.S. State Department (Antony J. Blinken) issued a statement denying the allegations, calling them “categorically false”.
Cabello shared images of conversations on a messaging application allegedly showing Castañeda discussing violent plans on election night with an individual identified only by his alias “El Flaco.” In these chats, Castañeda talked openly about taking advantage of the unrest following Maduro’s victory in order to assassinate the president.
Cabello accused Wilbert Joseph Castañeda, an active-duty U.S. sailor [SEAL], of leading the effort on behalf of the CIA.
“We want the world to know that Venezuela is under siege by U.S. imperialism,” stated Cabello. “The U.S. allows its territory to be used to arm [radical] groups.”
The Venezuelan official further demanded that the U.S. government address the allegations and clarify the role of its agencies and the control over weapons smuggled to overthrow a foreign government.
Several other Venezuelan nationals were accused of participating in the operation. Cabello alleged ties to the hardline opposition, including to José Miguel Estrada, who was convicted over his role in the assassination attempt against Maduro on August 4, 2018. Vente Venezuela, the organization led by far-right opposition leader María Corina Machado, considers Estrada a political prisoner. Cabello added a total of 14 individuals in Venezuelan prisons that were connected to the conspiracy.
Cabello compared the plot with “Operation Gideon,” a paramilitary action that aimed to topple the Maduro government. In May 2020, the Venezuelan armed forces neutralized the attempted incursion with speedboats that had departed from Colombia, with six invading operatives killed and dozens arrested.
Jordan Goudreau, a former U.S. green beret and the head of that operation, was recently arrested in the U.S. to face federal arms smuggling charges after allegedly shipping weapons, ammunition and other military equipment to Colombia.
Jordan Goudreau, a former U.S. green beret and the head of Operation Gideon, was recently arrested in the U.S. to face federal arms smuggling charges
Two other former green berets, Airan Berry and Luke Denman, were detained and handed 20-year sentences before returning to the U.S. on a prisoner exchange last year.
Edited by Ricardo Vaz in Lisbon, Portugal.