Caracas, September 15 (RHC)-- Diosdado Cabello, the Venezuelan Interior Minister, denounced and presented evidence of a terrorist plan which, according to an abundant amount of evidence, was linked to the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) and Spain’s National Intelligence Center.

Cabello revealed that the operation aimed to destabilize the country and target high-ranking government officials.  The official said one of the main objectives was to kill the re-elected President Nicolas Maduro, Vice President Delcy Rodriguez and himself.

“They have hired mercenaries from Eastern Europe, Americans, looking to attack Venezuela,” he declared, also implying the CIA’s link with several Venezuelan opponents in exile, including Iván Simonovic, Julio Borges, Carlos Vecchio, among others.

During the live broadcast of the press conference in Caracas, the Minister reported the seizure of a batch of weapons, including 400 rifles and pistols, which was part of an operation that also includes the recruitment of mercenaries.

“The weapons, originating from the United States, are being shipped in through normal channels,” Cabello said, adding that the information was obtained through intelligence and tracking.

Cabello, who is also the Sectorial Vice-President of Politics, Citizen Safety and Peace, demanded that the U.S. government “clarify the involvement of their agencies” and the use of their territory for alleged trafficking in weapons intended to “attack a legitimate government such as the Venezuela.  He detailed that those actions are part of an imperialist effort to overthrow the left-wing and progressive government in the region.

In addition, Cabello mentioned about a plan to attack the Argentinian embassy in Caracas.  Cabello said some people, who stored groups of 10 to 12 guns in their homes, have been already arrested for those alleged action.

The minister also pointed to connections between the seized weapons and criminal groups known as the Llano Train and the Aragua Train, whose “pranes” are linked to plans for foreign intervention alongside political figures of the Venezuelan opposition.  He specifically mentioned Gilbert Caro and Maria Corina Machado as being involved in these networks.

The Venezuelan government has promised to continue with the investigations and has requested explanations from both the United States and Spain about their alleged participation in these activities.