Venezuela: President Maduro Says US Spy Seized Near Oil Sites

Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro says an “American spy” was captured near two oil refineries in the northwestern state of Falcón.

In a televised speech, Maduro said the man was seized with weapons and large amounts of cash near the Amuay and Cardón refineries on Thursday.

He said the man was “serving as a Marine at CIA bases in Iraq.” He did not elaborate.

So far, the United States has not made any public comment on the matter.

Meanwhile, Maduro said Venezuelan authorities had recently foiled a plot to cause an explosion at the El Palito refinery in the northern state of Carabobo. She did not elaborate.

Luke Denman and Airan Berry were found guilty of conspiracy, illicit arms trafficking and terrorism.

The couple were among 13 people arrested in May trying to enter Venezuela by sea from Colombia.

US President Donald Trump, a longtime opponent of socialist President Maduro, has denied Venezuela’s accusations that he was behind that incident.

Washington backs the opposition leader Juan Guaidó and recognizes him as the legitimate leader of the country.

Relations between the United States and Venezuela are tense. Maduro has accused the United States of manipulating the political opposition to steal the country’s vast oil wealth.

Meanwhile, the United States and Guaidó have blamed the president for Venezuela’s economic collapse.