Navy SEAL Wilbert Castaneda’s alleged involvement in an assassination plot against Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro has triggered a diplomatic crisis.
At a Glance
- U.S. Navy SEAL Wilbert Joseph Castaneda was detained by Venezuelan authorities in late August.
- Venezuelan officials allege Castaneda was part of a CIA-led plot to assassinate President Nicolás Maduro.
- U.S. officials deny involvement in any assassination scheme.
- Castaneda was not on official duty or approved leave at the time of his detention.
Diplomatic Crisis Unfolds
The arrest of U.S. Navy SEAL Petty Officer First Class Wilbert Joseph Castaneda by Venezuelan authorities in late August 2024 has escalated into a significant diplomatic conflict. Venezuelan Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello alleges that Castaneda was part of a CIA-coordinated assassination attempt against President Nicolás Maduro. The timing of this arrest has further strained relations between the two countries, coming amid a disputed Venezuelan election.
The U.S. officials have emphatically denied any involvement in a plot against Maduro. “Any claims of U.S. involvement in a plot to overthrow Maduro are categorically false. The United States continues to support a democratic solution to the political crisis in Venezuela,” according to a State Department spokesperson. This statement underscores the official stance and refutes the allegations by Venezuelan authorities.
Castaneda’s detention has also rekindled memories of previous incidents involving U.S. military personnel in Venezuela. For instance, in 2020, a former U.S. Green Beret, Jordan Goudreau, attempted to train Venezuelan army deserters to overthrow Maduro, which ended in failure. The parallels between this and the current allegations against Castaneda contribute to the complexity of the diplomatic standoff.
Venezuela says it arrested Navy SEAL allegedly involved in a plot to kill President Maduro. https://t.co/CYGpJAW341
— Stars and Stripes (@starsandstripes) September 15, 2024
Arrest Details and Allegations
According to the Venezuelan government, Castaneda’s arrest was part of a broader operation that uncovered a plot targeting not just President Maduro but also Vice President Delcy Rodríguez and Interior Minister Cabello. This plot also included plans to attack public infrastructure and launch grenades at the Argentinian Embassy in Caracas. Venezuelan officials have implicated several other foreign nationals in the conspiracy, highlighting its international dimensions.
“Castañeda is the head of the operation, placed here by the CIA,” said Cabello, intensifying the accusatory rhetoric. The Venezuelan government presented images of conversations purportedly showing Castaneda discussing violent plans for election night. This development has galvanized Maduro’s supporters and added another layer of tension to the already volatile political atmosphere.
Venezuelan authorities announced the arrest of a US Navy SEAL and two Spanish citizens, allegedly linked to intelligence agencies, accused of plotting to assassinate President Nicolás Maduro. The US has denied involvement. Read the full report here: https://t.co/gkXj704NSC pic.twitter.com/EYTcDEfs4i
— Venezuelanalysis (@venanalysis) September 17, 2024
Navy Record and Official Response
Castaneda’s service record, released by the Navy, does not support Cabello’s claims of deployments to Afghanistan, Iraq, and Colombia. While Castaneda has a history of several deployments and has earned multiple medals and ribbons, his record shows no combat or valor awards. The Navy also revealed that Castaneda was not on official travel or approved leave at the time of his detention. “not on official travel or approved leave,” states the Navy document, emphasizing that Castaneda was acting independently of official Navy duties during his time in Venezuela.
Adding to the gravity of the situation, the State Department has confirmed awareness of unconfirmed reports of two additional U.S. citizens detained in Venezuela. This information complicates the diplomatic landscape and could potentially result in further negotiations or actions by both nations.
Sources:
- Venezuela Announces Arrest of US Navy SEAL, Weapons Seizure
- Sailor Held by Venezuela for Alleged Maduro Assassination Plot Is a Navy SEAL, Service Records Show
- Venezuela says it arrested fourth U.S. citizen in roundup of foreigners
- Venezuela arrests 6 foreigners, including 3 Americans, allegedly involved in plot to kill president
- US says claims of CIA plot to kill Maduro are ‘categorically false’ after Venezuela arrests six foreigners
