SIX foreign nationals have been arrested in Venezuela after officials accused them of coming to the South American country to assassinate President Nicolas Maduro.

The arrests of three Americans, two Spaniards and a Czech were announced on television by Diosdado Cabello, the nation’s interior minister. 

Mr Cabello said the accused were part of what he described as a “United States Central Intelligence Agency-led plot” to overthrow the Venezuelan government and kill several members of its leadership. 

Mr Cabello showed images of rifles that he said had been confiscated from some of the plotters of the alleged plan.

The arrest of the US citizens included a member of the navy, who Mr Cabello identified as Wilbert Joseph Castaneda Gomez. 

Mr Cabello described Mr Gomez as a navy seal who had served in Afghanistan, Iraq and Colombia. 

He also revealed that another American who was detained is an expert in hacking. 

Mr Cabello added that two Spanish citizens, Jose Maria Basoa and Andres Martinez, were members of intelligence agencies.

He said the Czech citizen worked as a mercenary in Europe and was part of a group that also included French mercenaries. 

A notebook seized from him details his connections with Venezuelan politicians, his involvement with what happened after the June 28 election and even notes on how to torture and how to survive in the jungle.

The minister also said evidence was seized that revealed an intention to carry out a bloody massacre with the aim of destabilising Venezuela to force a change of government.

He said that in addition to seizing several facilities, including Maiquetia airport and the presidential palace, the plan included carrying out attacks on the country’s basic public services.

Mr Cabello accused the CIA of co-ordinating the entire operation as part of an open US government campaign to destroy Venezuela. 

The US State Department confirmed late on Saturday the detention of a US military member and said it was aware of “unconfirmed reports of two additional US citizens detained in Venezuela.”

In a statement the State Department said: “Any claims of US involvement in a plot to overthrow Maduro are categorically false. The US continues to support a democratic solution to the political crisis in Venezuela.”

Tensions against the Venezuelan government have been ramped up by the US following July’s presidential election.

Venezuela’s Electoral Council said Mr Maduro won the election with 52 per cent of the vote.

But this was disputed by the opposition as well as the US and its allies.