The Madrid Government denied this Saturday that the two Spaniards detained in Venezuela belong to the National Intelligence Center (CNI), as stated by that country’s Interior Minister when he announced their arrest for allegedly preparing “terrorist” acts.
Unidentified Spanish government sources assured the Spanish news agency, EFE, that The two detained citizens do not belong to the CNI, the Spanish secret services, but did not provide any further details about their arrests.
The Spanish embassy in Venezuela asked the Venezuelan Government for access to the two detainees, with the intention of verifying their identities and nationality and – if it confirms that they are Spanish citizens – to find out exactly what they are accused of, “so that they can receive all the necessary assistance”, according to EFE.
Venezuelan Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello announced the arrest of two Spanish citizens, three Americans and a Czech, involved in an alleged operation aimed at carrying out “terrorist” acts, including the assassination of President Nicolás Maduro.
The minister assured that the two Spanish citizens were taking photographs of airport facilities and were interested in knowing how they could obtain explosives. The minister, who did not specify when the arrests took place, also revealed the identities of the two Spaniards – José María Basoa and Andrés Martínez Adasme – and said that they had links with the National Intelligence Center (CNI).
Diosdado Cabelo also said that more than 400 weapons “transported from the United States” were seized in the operation, and that some of those captured were trying to bring “a group of mercenaries” to Venezuela with the aim of assassinating Maduro, as well as his vice-president. executive president, Delcy Rodríguez, and other Chavista leaders.
In an exclusive interview with Venezuelan public media, Cabello explained that the Spaniards were captured in Puerto Ayacucho, capital of the state of Amazonas (south, border with Colombia and Brazil).
