Venezuelan authorities reveal dismantling of a cell labeled 'criminal'

SadaNews - Venezuelan authorities disclosed today, Tuesday, the dismantling of a cell described as "criminal" linked to the American Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), stating that it was plotting to attack the American warship "USS Gravely" anchored in Trinidad and Tobago to participate in military drills, as a pretext to accuse Nicolás Maduro's government of aggression against it.

Venezuelan Foreign Minister Ivan Gil explained that his country had informed the government of Trinidad and Tobago about the details of the operation thwarted by its security agencies, indicating the arrest of a group of "mercenaries" connected to American intelligence.

Caracas viewed the presence of the American ship in the waters of Trinidad and Tobago as a "serious provocation" that could lead to military confrontation in the region. Gil stated that the cell's goal was "to create a pretext for American aggression against Venezuela under the guise of responding to an alleged attack".

This comes amid escalating tensions between Washington and Caracas, after U.S. President Donald Trump authorized the CIA to carry out covert operations on Venezuelan territory and considered the possibility of launching ground strikes as part of a "drug trafficking crackdown" campaign in the Caribbean.

Since the beginning of September, the region has witnessed a series of American raids targeting boats suspected of being linked to drug traffickers, resulting in the deaths of at least 43 people according to French statistics.

In response, the United States deployed seven warships in the Caribbean and others in the Gulf of Mexico, announcing the imminent arrival of the world's largest aircraft carrier to the region.

Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro accused Washington of "fabricating a new war" aimed at changing the regime in his country and taking control of its oil reserves, asserting that his country "will prevent any aggressive attempt under any pretext whatsoever".