Venezuela detains US servicemember over alleged plot to destabilize country

The State Department reports that Venezuelan authorities have detained a U.S. servicemember.

Venezuelan Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello said three Americans, two Spaniards and a Czech had been detained on suspicion of attempting to assassinate Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and stage a coup. Cabello claimed it was a CIA-led plot. 

The State Department denied the allegations, Fox News reported. Spokesman Matt Miller said, "any claims of U.S. involvement in a plot to overthrow Maduro are categorically false."

Miller confirmed the servicemember's detention and said the department was aware of "unconfirmed reports" that authorities detained two other Americans.

The servicemember was identified as Wilbert Joseph Castañeda Gomez of the Navy.

The detention comes amid an international dispute over the recent Venezuelan presidential election. Maduro claimed victory, while challenger Edmundo Gonzalez alleged electoral fraud.

Secretary of State Antony Blinken said last month that "overwhelming evidence" supported Gonzalez.

Fearing arrest after authorities issued a warrant, Gonzalez accepted asylum in Spain.