Venezuela says foiled 'false flag' plot targeting US embassy

Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro announced Monday that his government had thwarted an alleged false flag operation aimed at planting explosives at the US embassy in Caracas. Maduro claimed that the plot was designed by “local terrorists” to intensify tensions between Venezuela and the United States amid ongoing disputes over drug trafficking and political legitimacy.

Speaking on his weekly television program, Maduro said two unnamed intelligence sources had confirmed the existence of a plan to place explosive devices at the American diplomatic mission. He accused extremists of attempting to provoke further confrontation between the two countries, which have had no formal diplomatic ties since 2019.

Earlier, Jorge Rodriguez, head of Venezuela’s delegation for dialogue with Washington, said Caracas had warned the United States about “a serious threat” targeting the embassy and had reinforced security measures in the area. The embassy has been largely abandoned since diplomatic relations were severed, except for a few local employees.

Relations between the two nations remain tense. Washington has made Venezuela a focal point of its anti-narcotics campaign, though most illegal drugs entering the United States come from or through Mexico. Under Donald Trump’s leadership, the United States deployed warships and aircraft to the Caribbean, claiming to intercept drug shipments from Venezuela. At least 21 people were reported killed in these operations. Maduro, however, insists that Washington’s true objective is regime change, not anti-drug enforcement.

In response to perceived threats, Caracas has deployed thousands of troops along its borders and expanded its civilian militia. Washington, which did not recognize Maduro’s 2024 re-election—rejected internationally as fraudulent—continues to back the Venezuelan opposition.

Rumors have also circulated that opposition leader Maria Corina Machado, who has been in hiding since last year’s disputed election, is being sheltered at the US embassy, though her whereabouts remain unconfirmed. The United States has recognized Machado’s ally, former senator Eduardo Gonzalez Urrutia, as Venezuela’s legitimate president after opposition tallies showed him defeating Maduro.

Both Machado and Gonzalez, now in exile in Spain, have endorsed US military pressure on Caracas, calling it a “necessary measure” to restore democracy in Venezuela.