Representatives from the Venezuelan National Guard and the National Integrated Service of Customs and Tax Administration (SENIAT) have seized 19 rifles inside a commercial cargo plane at the Arturo Michelena International Airport in Valencia, according to the Deputy Minister for Prevention and Citizen Security in Venezuela, Endes Palencia.
According to the ministry, high-calibre ammunition, 19 rifles and 118 magazines, as well as 90 radios and six mobile phones were found in the stash that was likely sent from Miami, Florida on 3 February. The authorities have launched an investigation into the incident.
Venezuelan authorities have blamed Washington for the crisis, with democratically elected President Nicolas Maduro accusing the White House of attempting to organize a coup in the oil-rich country and announcing the cessation of diplomatic ties with the United States.
On Sunday, Trump said in an interview with the US broadcaster CBS that a US military intervention in Venezuela remains “an option”. Venezuelan Foreign Minister Jorge Arreaza described the statement as proof that Washington is behind an attempt to stage a coup d’etat in the Latin American country.
Source: Sputnik
