An American citizen has been arrested in Venezuela on charges of participating in a plot to assassinate President Maduro.

An American has been arrested in Venezuela for plotting to assassinate President Nicolás Maduro, as per the country's interior minister, Diosdado Cabello.

A person was detained in Caracas on Tuesday for taking photos of electrical, oil, and military infrastructure, according to Cabello's speech to the National Assembly, which applauded the detention.

"We will screw anyone who tries to mess with Venezuela, no matter their name," Cabello stated. "He has visited Venezuela before."

The State Department is aware of unconfirmed reports of an additional arrest in Venezuela but cannot provide further comment.

The State Department states that its capacity to aid U.S. citizens in Venezuela is limited and it is actively seeking more information.

The U.S. and Venezuela have had a strained relationship in recent years, with the Biden administration easing sanctions on its oil industry and other sectors in late 2023, but later rolling back most of the relief in April 2024 due to Maduro officials' antidemocratic actions, including barring opposition primary winner Maria Corina Machado from running. Additionally, earlier this year, Venezuela stopped accepting flights of migrants deported from the U.S. and Mexico.

Just days after Cabello stated that three Americans, two Spaniards, and a Czech were arrested for attempting to assassinate Maduro and overthrow the Venezuelan government, Reuters reported the arrest.

The Navy member identified by the Associated Press as Wilbert Joseph Castañeda Gomez is an American service member.

The CIA, Spain's intelligence agency, organized crime groups, sex workers, and members of the opposition are being accused by Cabello of being involved in the plot to assassinate Maduro following his disputed election win in July, which was marked by allegations of fraud.

On Saturday, during a press conference, Cabello claimed that the detainees were suspected of being involved in a plot to kill Maduro and other officials.

Officials seized about 400 rifles originating in the U.S., and we as a government will respond firmly to any destabilization attempt, Cabello stated, emphasizing that these groups seek to seize the country's wealth.

The State Department refutes any claims of U.S. involvement in a plot to overthrow Maduro, stating that such allegations are entirely false, according to a spokesperson who spoke to Planet Chronicle Digital.

The spokesperson stated that the United States remains committed to a democratic resolution of the political crisis in Venezuela.

In July, Venezuelan officials declared Maduro the winner, but Blinken stated last month that there was strong evidence that Gonzalez won the most votes.

The National Electoral Council in Venezuela, composed mainly of Maduro supporters, declared that he won a third six-year term, yet did not release a comprehensive report on the results.

The government was caught off guard when members of the opposition obtained tally sheets from 80% of the country's electronic voting machines and made them public online. According to the opposition, the tally sheets show that former diplomat Edmundo González won the election with twice as many votes as Maduro.

The Congressional Research Service reports that Maduro officials have suppressed the opposition through postelection repression, according to their claim of election results.

On Sept. 12, the Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) imposed financial sanctions on 16 Maduro officials for their role in either electoral fraud or repression.

Blinken stated that these officials obstructed a clear electoral process and the publication of precise election outcomes.

"Despite the Venezuelan people's will being expressed through the ballot box, Maduro and his representatives have falsely declared victory while suppressing and intimidating the democratic opposition in an attempt to maintain power through force."

Officials announced that the U.S. seized a Maduro-owned plane in the Dominican Republic this month, as it was acquired through a straw company in violation of sanctions laws and export controls.

Planet Chronicle’ Landon Mion and the Associated Press contributed to this report.