Caracas, 14th September 2024
REPORT
More than 400 rifles of different types, which would be used to carry out terrorist acts in the country, were seized by the State Security Agencies, reported the Vice President of Politics, Citizen Security and Peace, Diosdado Cabello.
«We have a group of people detained in Venezuela who are part of this network. Among those detained there are people who were found in their homes with between 10 and 12 rifles that would be used in these plans against the stability of the country,» he stressed, while emphasizing that this arsenal was detected thanks to intelligence work carried out throughout the national territory.
During a press conference on Saturday he indicated that the weapons were brought to the country disassembled in different «apparently legal» shipments and here they were received by groups linked to the extreme right. «They arrived in Venezuela in containers with products such as dog food, they came unarmed and here they were received by groups who had the responsibility of arming them,» he stressed.
Cabello also denounced that one of the leaders of this arms trafficking network is the fugitive from Venezuelan justice, Iván Simonovis. «Because of the capture of this weaponry here in Venezuela, they have taken actions in other countries that have included the murder of people. Simonovis knows what I am talking about,» he stressed.
One of those arrested is Wilber Joseph Castañeda, an active US military officer, who is one of those involved in the operation of the more than 400 rifles seized by Venezuelan state security forces.
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Cabello reported that Castañeda carried out training in Colombia.
«We demand that the United States Government clarify the use of its agencies and the use of its territory to traffic weapons aimed at overthrowing a democratically elected government. The United States is behind this operation, they are delivering these weapons so that they circulate freely and reach Venezuela.
They can say what they want, their agents are confessing. Castañeda is the head of the operation placed by the CIA here and they have a link with criminal groups in Venezuela,” said Cabello.
Cabello reported that the operation discovered was aimed at attacking -among other objectives- sources of water, electricity and transportation.
“Venezuela is under siege by imperialism,” he warned.
