CARACAS (Reuters) -Venezuela’s Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello said on Monday he has ordered flights from Colombia suspended, after the arrests of more than three dozen people, including some 17 foreigners who arrived via Colombia, for alleged conspiracy.
Venezuelan authorities regularly decry conspiracies and planned attacks against President Nicolas Maduro, the country’s power grid and other targets.
They often point the finger at the country’s opposition, which they say works hand-in-glove with the United States to attack the country, accusations both the opposition and Washington have always denied.
Thirty-eight people have been arrested in connection with the alleged conspiracy, Cabello said during a press conference with local media.
“We have given the instruction to suspend all the flights from Colombia to our country,” the minister said, adding the measure was effective immediately and could “surely” be extended beyond May 25, when Venezuela is holding legislative and gubernatorial elections.
“We have discovered a new plot of conspiracy and terrorism, we have captured a group of Venezuelan who were returning to the country with explosive artifacts,” Cabello said, adding the group of 38 included “bombers, coyotes and mercenaries.”
Colombia’s foreign ministry did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
(Reporting by Mayela Armas and Deisy BuitragoWriting by Julia Symmes Cobb)
