Venezuelan Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello reporting on a terrorist plot thwarted by Venezuelan security agencies, in Caracas, September 14, 2024. Photo: MPPRIJP.
Venezuelan Minister of the Interior Diosdado Cabello reported the seizure of a large batch of US-made weapons, a total of 400 rifles and pistols. He also reported the arrest of a US Navy SEAL and two Spanish citizens linked to the National Intelligence Center of Spain, as well as a Czech mercenary, and explained their links with members of the Venezuelan far-right opposition with whom they had planned to assassinate President Nicolás Maduro, Vice President Delcy Rodríguez, and other members of the Chavista leadership including Cabello himself.
At a press conference on Saturday, September 14, Cabello explained that the automatic weapons arrived in containers that contained dog food in sacks. “The weapons had arrived disassembled; the detainees received them and had the mission of reassembling them,” he said. The Venezuelan security forces followed the shipments and looked for those responsible. “The conspirators used fake names, using the names of third parties so that they would not be followed. They are people accustomed to this type of operation, and the United States government is not alien to these operations,” the minister added.
“These rifles were not for an exhibition, they were for terrorist acts promoted by certain political sectors in Venezuela,” he said.
He explained that Iván Simonovis, former police commissioner linked to the opposition, who participated in the coup d’état of April 2002 and after being imprisoned for several years, escaped to the United States, was aware of this operation. Several people have been detained in connection with the operation, who had 10 or 12 rifles in their homes.
Cabello further added that, when these weapons were sent from the United States, the FBI had inspected the package but did not confiscate the weapons nor arrest anyone. He showed a video to back up his allegations.
Attacking the Argentinian embassy
Minister Cabello said that a few days ago, some people were arrested for planning to throw grenades at the Argentine embassy in Caracas, where some far-right opposition members are sheltered. It was a false flag attack plan with the aim of blaming the Venezuelan government.
Cabello explained that the detainees’ phones were inspected and links were found with José Miguel Estrada, who had been arrested and convicted for the assassination attempt on President Nicolás Maduro on August 4, 2018. WhatsApp groups were found under the guise of religious groups, but where information was exchanged about perpetrating terrorist acts in Venezuela.
Another person associated with this group is Luis Humberto Yanez Martínez, who has links with Gilber Caro, a far-right opposition politician who is currently detained in the US for causing a death in a traffic accident and fleeing the scene, and who has been accused on several occasions of having contacts with criminal gang leaders in Venezuela.
Cabello reported that 14 people in prisons had links with the members of this criminal plot. These people had messages on their phones about the acquisition of C4 explosives to start rebellions in prisons and break prisons to join the terrorists.
“The United States knows how to carry out destabilization operations,” the minister said. As investigations continue, the name of Yorman Varillas, who fled Venezuela after being linked to the murder of a student, has come to light.
Two Spaniards linked to Spanish intelligence arrested
Two Spanish citizens were arrested near the airport in Puerto Ayacucho, Amazonas state, in an “irregular situation,” taking photos of certain facilities. Cabello explained that on their phones there were messages from María Teresa Clavijo, leader of Vente Venezuela in Aragua state, linked to the comanditos [gangs that committed post-electoral violence], as well as messages from Yorman Varillas and Jhexica Isabel Aponte Figuera, leader of Vente Venezuela in Upata, Bolívar state.
Minister Cabello said that these Spanish citizens attempted to obtain explosives, to contact groups that wanted to do some “special work,” and they have links with the National Intelligence Center of Spain. “The task they came to do in Venezuela is very clear,” he said.
He added that, on their phones, conversation were found indiciating that they planned to murder the mayor of Upata, and they had connections with far-right opposition politicians Américo Di Grazia and Carlos Chancellor.
Czech mercenary
Cabello also reported the arrest of Jan Darmovzal, of Czech origin, who had contacts with María Teresa Clavijo, Yorman Varilla, and another person named Wilbert Joseph Castañeda. Jan Darmovzal is a mercenary belonging to a group called Komando AZ.
US Navy SEAL
Regarding Wilbert Joseph Castañeda, Cabello said that since 2009 he has been a member of the United States Navy SEALS, soldiers who operate in the air, sea and land in the US Navy. He is an active military officer. Almost immediately after his detention, the White House stated that “he was in Venezuela without permission, doing personal things.”
“He took a course in Virginia, USA, in group #4 specialized in explosives,” Cabello said about Castañeda. “Then he was transferred to group #7 in San Diego, California, which is a SEALS special group. He took the course in river operations, mixed weapons, pistol and rifle, urban and close combat, parachuting, rural combat, offensive and defensive handling, and explosives. He was in Afghanistan in 2010. In 2014 he was in Iraq for six months, in 2021 he traveled to Colombia with 10 people, where he was the group’s logistics operator, with the purpose of ‘exchanging knowledge.’”
Cabello said that in Colombia, Castañeda met with a Colombian army lieutenant named Carlos Núñez.
Wilbert Joseph Castañeda made contact with Deisy Jugles González, who was the partner of “a very high-ranking man from the Tren de Aragua gang who was murdered in Colombia.” They contacted Belén Salas, María Teresa Clavijo, and Carlos Andrade (aka Petare and El Flaco) in order to recruit people to form a group to commit terrorist acts in Venezuela.
A US citizen named Aaron Barrett and his Venezuelan partner, Astrid Emperatriz Ortega, were also arrested. They are hackers, according to Cabello. Another US national named David Estrella was detained in the operation. They were all going to participate in the terrorist plot, and they confessed that the CIA is leading it.
Cabello explained that “they all arrived at a hotel in Colombia, which is coordinated by Yorman Varilla. Then they all arrived in Caracas. Thereafter they all go to Maracay, Aragua state. We captured Castañeda between La Victoria and La Colonia Tovar in Aragua state. He had received training on how to behave during an interrogation.”
Minister Cabello stressed that the objective of the plot was the assassination of President Nicolás Maduro, Vice President Delcy Rodríguez, himself, and other high-ranking members of the Venezuelan government. He highlighted the participation of the CIA and the National Intelligence Center of Spain. “In addition, they contracted mercenaries from France and Eastern Europe in an operation to attack our country. They talk about weapons,” he said.
Minister Cabello pointed out that Iván Simonovis participated in it through his associates in Venezuela and that they are involved with Juan Pablo Guanipa, Carlos Vecchio, Julio Borges, and María Corina Machado.
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“We demand that the United States government clarify the participation of its agencies, the use of its territory to traffic weapons to overthrow a democratic government, elected by its people,” said Cabello. “The National Intelligence Center of Spain is promoting the recruitment of terrorists to come to Venezuela. They can say what they want, but their agents are confessing.”
“This man, Castañeda, is not just anyone,” Caello continued. “He is the head of the operation, placed here by the CIA. That is why the White House felt hurt by his capture.” He complained that Castañeda has “direct contacts with criminal groups in Venezuela.” Chats between Castañeda and El Flaco in the United States, celebrating the violent events that occurred on July 29, were shown in the press conference.
Cabello said that such criminals are planing terrorist attacks on public services, water, electricity, and transportation, as well as cyber attacks on state institutions. “Venezuela is under siege by imperialism, attacked from the US, which allows the use of its territory to arm these groups,” he decried.
Cabello added that Jordan Goudreau, who commanded Operation Gideon and had been arrested in the United States for arms trafficking, was released a few days ago, and wondered what the US authorities offered him and what they asked of him.
“We are waiting for them here,” Cabello said, referring to terrorists like Goudreau. “We are going to use all the necessary mechanisms to repel and defeat these groups of mercenaries and terrorists who try to undermine peace and order in Venezuela. We will be extremely stubborn and severe in maintaining peace. And I say to our people: trust us. Please remain on the alert, because much of what we have achieved has been possible due to information from the people.” He also asked for confidence in the Venezuelan institutions, adding, “We will never let the Homeland be lost.”
Regarding the seized weapons, the Venezuelan minister pointed out that their firepower is not small. “Imagine criminal groups with this firepower… who would they give it to? The gangs. They counted on the gangs to create chaos, violence and anarchy,” he commented.
Asked about which places may be attacked, Cabello responded, “the places of the Venezuelan State powers” and added that the Miraflores Palace was mentioned by all the detainees. Among the documents found on Castañeda’s person, there are plans similar to Operation Gedeón: “Enter the Palace, take this thing, contact such and such officials—deserters who are not in Venezuela, attack the water, electricity, and transportation services because that causes chaos,” he explained.
(Alba Ciudad) by Luigino Bracci Roa, with Orinoco Tribune content
Translation: Orinoco Tribune
OT/JRE/SC
