Venezuela Seizes New Arsenal of High-Caliber Weapons

Venezuelan Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello announced Tuesday that Venezuela’s security agencies seized a new arsenal of high-caliber weapons in a house located in Oripoto, Miranda state.

“The amount of weapons and firepower they have is impressive,” noted Cabello. “Behind me is what is called a munitions factory… everything you need: weapons, weapon parts, cleaning supplies, oil, explosives… a box of grenades.”

The minister also specified that the seized items included a carbine, 23 sniper rifles of various calibers, two shotguns, an automatic rifle, ammunition of all calibers, lead ingots used in bullet design, and .308 and .338 caliber rifles, among other items.

In addition, a .50-caliber rifle was found that is “totally lethal and deadly,” to which they added a “top-quality” telescopic sight and a silencer, noted Cabello.

“What were they going to do with this?” asked Cabello. “What were the plans of these sick sectors of the fascist right? Who were they targeting?” Cabello wondered aloud whether the intention was to repeat the scenario of April 11, 2002, with snipers. “On April 11, they placed snipers and blamed Hugo Chávez’s government for what happened,” recalled Cabello. “On July 29 [in 2024, following the most recent presidential election in Venezuela], they used gunmen.”

The minister emphasized that this is part of the conspiracy that has been reported and explained that the arsenal was found in “caves designed to store weapons and explosives.” He showed videos of the locations where the arsenal was hidden.

#DudarEsTraición | En perfecta unión popular, militar y policial, el Gobierno del Presidente Nicolás Maduro desenmascara conspiración terroristas contra nuestra Patria pic.twitter.com/zlpcKKsT6E
— Con el Mazo Dando (@ConElMazoDando) August 19, 2025

Cabello announced that authorities are searching for other caches because they have information about other sites where special equipment for making weapons parts is located, according to the investigation.

He also reported that on Monday, 10,000 liters of diesel used in drug trafficking routes were seized in Nueva Esparta state and that in recent days, the Bolivarian National Armed Force (FANB) has prevented more than five attempts to set up drug trafficking camps along the border.

Connection with María Corina Machado and Iván Simonovis
The minister emphasized that the seized weapons would have been used for the conspiratorial plans of sectors of the Venezuelan far right and mentioned the involvement of María Corina Machado and fugitive Iván Simonovis.

“What’s happening here bears the hallmark and responsibility of Iván Simonovis and María Corina Machado, who have lost all shame and are not afraid to seek alliances with criminal gangs, drug trafficking gangs, terrorists, or paramilitaries,” he added, emphasizing that the goal is to generate destabilization of Venezuela.

Cabello noted that the seizure of these weapons represents a victory for peace in the country. “These specific victories by our FANB and security agencies are also a great victory for the people who fight for and care about peace in our country,” he emphasized.

Eight people arrested
The minister announced that due to these events, in addition to Carlos Luis Arrieta Márquez, alias El Flaco, and Aliannis Araujo Lozada, alias La Negra, who are involved in the Plaza Venezuela explosives case, six other people were detained.

He also assured Venezuela that “all of this is linked to the conspiracy of drug gangs, [and] all of this is led by Mrs. María Corina Machado, a criminal, murderer, and terrorist who couldn’t care less.”

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He also reaffirmed the Venezuelan authorities’ willingness to support the Colombian government, to the extent possible, “in addressing their own border issues. We have ours taken care of.”

Cabello reiterated his recognition of the country’s security forces for acting in a timely manner to ensure the stability of Venezuela.