Venezuela claimed Monday to have dismantled a CIA-financed cell plotting a false-flag attack on a US warship deployed to the southern Caribbean, as Washington stepped up pressure on Caracas by flying bombers nearby.
Venezuelan authorities said they uncovered an operation targeting the USS Gravely, a guided-missile destroyer which docked Sunday in Trinidad — within firing distance of the Venezuelan mainland.
The Pentagon has so far deployed seven warships to the Caribbean and one to the Gulf of Mexico, ostensibly for anti-drug operations.
President Donald Trump has also announced the imminent arrival of the USS Ford, the world’s largest aircraft carrier, and its accompanying fleet.
Venezuela and some observers believe Trump’s administration is using the military deployments to build pressure on the government and depose Nicolas Maduro, whom Washington does not recognize as the legitimate president.
“At least four suspects were arrested,” Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello said. Caracas claimed the dismantled cell was “financed by the CIA” and planned to attack the destroyer and frame Venezuela.
No further details of the alleged suspects were offered. Venezuela regularly claims to have arrested US-backed mercenaries working to destabilize Maduro’s administration.
Alongside his naval buildup, Trump recently confirmed authorizing CIA operations in Venezuela and considering ground strikes.
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