Venezuela warned on Monday of an alleged plan by extremists to attack the closed US embassy complex in Caracas with explosives, coming as bilateral tensions simmer over Washington’s military deployment in the Caribbean.
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Jorge Rodriguez, head of the National Assembly and of Venezuela’s delegation for dialogue with the US, said in a statement that through “three different channels”, the United States had been warned “of a serious threat” from right-wing groups posing as followers of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro.
“Through a false-flag operation prepared by extremist sectors of the local right, there are attempts to plant lethal explosives at the US embassy in Caracas,” Rodriguez said.
The US State Department did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
The embassy, which is currently closed, maintains a staff responsible for security and maintenance of the premises, despite the rupture of diplomatic relations with Maduro’s government in 2019.
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“At the same time, we have reinforced security measures at that diplomatic site, which our government respects and protects,” said Rodriguez, a close ally of Maduro who serves as president of the National Assembly. He said a European embassy had been informed to act as a liaison to communicate the situation.
The large embassy compound has been guarded since its closure by patrols conducted by Venezuelan police in the surrounding area.