Caracas, May 29 (NNN-RHC) -- Venezuelan authorities said they uncovered a plot by opposition leaders, international financiers and officials backed by the U.S. State Department to assassinate President Nicolas Maduro and take over the country.

At a press conference on Wednesday, top socialist leader and mayor of Caracas, Jorge Rodriguez, denounced the "complex plan" to assassinate Maduro and unleash a spiral of violence in the country to justify foreign intervention.

Rodriguez said the plot, financed by "a multimillion-dollar fund" that has backed different anti-government actions since February, was led by Venezuelan banker Eligio Cedeno, a fugitive from justice in Venezuela.

The mayor also accused former rightwing deputy, Maria Corina Machado, of being behind the schemes saying several e-mails tie her directly to actions aimed at fomenting violent regime change in Venezuela.

In one e-mail, Machado mentions Kevin Whitaker, the U.S. ambassador to Colombia, and says the U.S. has confirmed its support of the political opposition and signaled what new steps should be taken.

"What we present today is part of a criminal investigation being carried out by the administration of justice, because the Venezuelan opposition aims to destroy the peaceful and constitutional order of our nation," said Rodriguez.

Rodriguez asked the U.S. government to clarify whether it knew of Whitaker's contacts or if the official acted on his own. He also said the government will be presenting its evidence of a planned military coup in coming days.