Venezuela has warned the United States of an alleged plot by right-wing extremists to attack the closed U.S. Embassy in Caracas, a claim that emerges amid sharply rising military tensions between the two nations in the Caribbean.
Jorge Rodríguez, the president of Venezuela's National Assembly, stated that the United States was alerted through three separate channels about a "serious threat". He identified the source of the threat as "extremist sectors of the local Venezuelan right" who were planning a "false flag operation". Rodríguez explained that this would involve planting lethal explosives at the U.S. Embassy compound with the intention of making it appear as though another party was responsible. He assured that the Venezuelan government has reinforced security around the diplomatic mission and that a European embassy was informed to act as a liaison with Washington. The White House and State Department have not immediately commented on the allegations.
This warning comes during a period of significantly escalated tensions. The United States has deployed a considerable military force to the Caribbean, citing a mission to combat drug trafficking. This deployment includes Navy vessels, F-35 fighter jets, and an amphibious ready group with thousands of Marines and sailors. U.S. forces have conducted several strikes on vessels near Venezuela, which the U.S. Defense Secretary claims were "narcoterrorists" trafficking drugs.
The Venezuelan government of President Nicolás Maduro has denounced these actions as a threat to its sovereignty and a narrative fabricated to justify forcing him from office. In response, Caracas has conducted its own military drills and spoken of becoming a "republic in arms," with Maduro securing additional powers and threatening a "state of emergency". The U.S. does not recognize Maduro's re-election and has doubled the reward for his capture to $50 million.
Diplomatic relations between the two countries have been severed since 2019. During President Donald Trump's first term, the U.S. broke ties with Maduro's government, recognized an opposition leader as the legitimate ruler, and suspended operations at its hilltop embassy in Caracas, evacuating all diplomatic personnel. The compound has been closed since, maintained only by a skeletal staff for security and upkeep, and is guarded by Venezuelan police patrols in the surrounding area.