Venezuela arrests U.S., Spain and Czech nationals

Venezuela has on Saturday arrested three U.S. citizens, two Spaniards, and one Czech on charges of involvement in plans to destabilize the country. Venezuela also suspected that the arrested are involved in terrorist activities including plans to assassinate President Nicolas Maduro.

The South American country came in the news after its Opposition leader Edmundo Gonzalez left Venezuela for Spain seeking political asylum a few days back. Gonzalez who had contested the Presidential election in July, was said to have been the winner, and President Maduro had retained power through manipulation. President Maduro had denied the charges.

News organizations reported quoting Venezuelan Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello, who held a press conference, saying that the two Spaniards were allegedly linked to Spain's secret service and planning the assassination of a mayor. Spanish media however reported that Spain's government denied this claim.

The United States had recognized opposition candidate Gonzalez Urrutia as the winner of the July 28 election, which had angered the present Venezuela dispensation.