Venezuela's Maduro says US spy held near essential oil sites
Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro says a "US spy" has been captured near two oil refineries in the country's north-western state of Falcón.
In a televised address, Mr Maduro explained the person was seized with weapons and huge amounts of cash near the Amuay and Cardon refineries on Thursday.
He said the man was "serving as a good marine on CIA bases in Iraq". He provided no further details.
The US has up to now made no public touch upon the issue.
Individually, Mr Maduro said that the Venezuelan authorities had lately foiled a plot to cause an explosion at El Palito refinery in the northern Carabobo state. He did not elaborate.
Previous month, a Venezuelan court sentenced several former American soldiers to 20 years in prison for struggling to overthrow Mr Maduro.
Luke Denman and Airan Berry were found guilty of conspiracy, illicit trafficking of weapons and terrorism.
The pair were among 13 people arrested in May because they attemptedto enter Venezuela by sea from Colombia.
US President Donald Trump, long an opponent of socialist President Maduro, has denied accusations by Venezuela that he was in back of that incident.
Washington backs opposition leader Juan Guaidó and recognises him as the country's genuine leader.
Relations between your US and Venezuela are actually tense. Mr Maduro has accused America of manipulating political opposition to steal the country's vast essential oil wealth.
America and Mr Guaidó, meanwhile, have blamed the president for Venezuela's economical collapse.
