Caracas, Sep 16 (V7N) — Venezuelan authorities have arrested six foreign nationals, including three US citizens, two Spaniards, and one Czech national, over alleged plans to destabilise the government. The arrests come amid heightened political tensions following the country's controversial presidential election in July.

Venezuela's Interior Minister, Diosdado Cabeo, revealed the details during a press conference on Saturday. He accused the detainees of engaging in "terrorist activities" and planning to assassinate President Nicolás Maduro and other top officials. Cabeo specifically noted that the two Spanish nationals were arrested in Puerto Ayacucho while taking photographs and alleged that they had links to Spain's intelligence agency.

The arrests have sparked diplomatic inquiries. Spain's Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed it had sent a formal request to Venezuela for information on the detained Spanish citizens. They are also seeking communication access to the detainees.

The US State Department has expressed concern over the arrest of the three American citizens, including one identified as a "member of the US military." A spokesperson said they were working to gather more information on the matter from various sources.

The situation comes on the heels of widespread opposition protests rejecting Maduro's re-election. Opposition parties accuse Maduro of rigging the July election to secure his third consecutive term as president. Venezuela has been ruled by Maduro's United Socialist Party for 25 years, continuing the legacy of Hugo Chávez, who initiated the Bolivarian Revolution.

While President Maduro has been in office since 2013, his latest re-election has been marked by allegations of fraud and growing international scrutiny. The opposition, united under Edmundo González Urrutia, claims that the electoral process was neither free nor fair.

The arrests are likely to further strain Venezuela's already tense relations with both the United States and Spain, with diplomatic repercussions potentially unfolding in the coming days.

END/AJ/SMA