Venezuela VP condemns 'terrorists,' stays on high alert

VENEZUELA's vice president has vowed his country's security services will stay on high alert after his government claimed to have arrested a "group of terrorists" entering the country via Trinidad and Tobago.

Diosdado Cabello was addressing the swearing-in ceremony on June 4 for the governor of Monagas state (Ernesto Luna) following recent municipal elections in Venezuela. His speech was reported by Telesur news agency which has very close ties to the administration of President Nicholas Maduro, who himself had earlier announced the alleged incursion.

Meanwhile in TT, a statement by the Ministry of Defence headed by Wayne Sturge said the TT authorities did not know of the individuals described by Maduro as ever being in TT but that border surveillance was being heightened.

Apparently referring to the local elections just held in Venezuela, Cabello said “Peace has won across the entire national territory,” but said the security forces must remain fully alert against any attempts by mercenaries, opposition groups, or ultra-right-wing criminals to destabilise the country’s political order.

Alleging interference by forces of US imperialism, he said, “They will not stay quiet; the Yankees will not stay quiet.” He urged more efforts to combat narco-trafficking, corruption, and terrorism.

Telesur said, "Recounting recent thwarted incursions, Cabello reminded the public of an attempted armed entry into Venezuela through Sucre state from Trinidad, describing the attackers as armed criminals. He urged Venezuelans not to be misled by opposition narratives that portray such groups as "Robin Hoods," stressing that their actions ultimately harmed the people.

“Wherever these gangs go, we will pursue them and together guarantee the peace of this country.”

Cabello denounced recent threats against security officials and condemned the hostile treatment of Venezuelan migrants abroad, particularly those detained in El Salvador.

“This Revolution excludes no one; it is open to all Venezuelans and those who come from other countries to work,” he emphasised.

Telesur also reported Maduro addressing the inauguration function of the new, female governor of the state of Sucre (Jhoanna Carrillo Malavé), where he denounced new alleged threats against Venezuelan sovereignty.

President Maduro revealed that on June 2, Venezuelan security forces captured a group of terrorists in the country’s east who were carrying a cache of war weapons. According to the head of state, the individuals entered through the border with Trinidad and Tobago, and half of them were Colombian citizens.

“Brought in through the Caribbean Sea to enter the country, we must have a thousand eyes and a thousand ears, because the terrorists have not succeeded, nor will they.”

Maduro alleged terrorist attacks meant to destabilise the national economy, but all of which were neutralised by the authorities.

Newsday did not see any post on the website of the US State Department commenting on the Venezuelan government's allegation of a terrorist group. Nothing was posted on the otherwise busy Facebook page of Guyana President Dr Irfaan Ali. A Google search did not show the Colombian government making any comment.

Newsday tried but was unable to contact Venezuelan ambassador Alvaro Cordero. Sturge did not reply to our calls nor WhatsApp texts.

Last January, the Venezuelan government claimed to have arrested an rebel group that reportedly included Americans, Ukrainians and Colombians.

Defence Ministry investigating claims

On June 4, TT's Ministry of Defence issued a statement titled, Claims that Colombian paramilitary groups entering eastern Venezuela through Trinidad and Tobago.

It said the ministry was aware of recent reports about a claim made by Maduro, alleging the infiltration by Colombian paramilitary groups into eastern Venezuela through TT.

"In response to these claims, the Ministry of Defence has initiated a comprehensive investigation.

"Preliminary findings indicate that there is currently no evidence to support these allegations."

However, the ministry added that it was taking immediate and decisive steps to address the matter with the utmost seriousness and urgency.

"As part of our ongoing commitment to national security, the ministry is working in close co-ordination with law enforcement agencies and security forces to enhance surveillance and reinforce border security in critical areas.

"Additionally, we will be engaging with our Venezuelan counterparts through the appropriate diplomatic channels to gather any relevant information or evidence that could assist in this matter."

The ministry said safety and security of TT's citizens remained its highest priority.

"The public can be assured that the Ministry is closely monitoring the situation and will continue to provide timely and credible updates through the usual communication channels."

The accusations are the latest in a long-standing war of words between Venezuela on one hand and Colombia and the US on the other.

Colombia has accused Venezuela of harbouring leftist FARC guerillas.

The US has placed a US$25 million bounty on Maduro's head, accusing him of narco-terrorism. It placed a US$10 million bounty on Venezuelan Defence Minister Vladimir Padrino, and a bounty on Cabello. The US, UK, Canada and European Union (EU) have accused the Maduro regime of undermining Venezuela's presidential elections.

The US has tightened up sanctions against Venezuela – which has been accused of failing to keep its agreement to improve democracy – including sinking the Dragon gas deal with TT.

In the latest election, opposition leader Maria Corina Machado was barred from running, and the official results did not recognise any victory by the opposition's main candidate Edmundo Gonzalez, although the opposition said individual polling station tallies indicated he had won. Machado has had to keep a low profile in Venezuela, while Gonzalez fled the country.

Meanwhile, the Maduro regime recently sought to hold its regional elections within the oil-rich Essequibo, a region which now comprises two-thirds of Guyana, but which Caracas is claiming.

The Guyana government has complained of several cases Venezuelan individuals shooting at Guyanese troops, as recently as last month. The Maduro government has denied the occurrence of at least one such past allegation. Venezuela is strongly supported by Russia, Iran, Cuba and China.