Venezuelan authorities announced the capture of a group of alleged mercenaries said to be linked to the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), claiming the individuals were involved in planning a "false flag" attack aimed at provoking a full-scale military confrontation with the country.

Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar has accused the Opposition People’s National Movement (PNM) of having ties to the local drug mafia which finances its operations and therefore wanted to protect them.

VENEZUELA has condemned the arrival of a US warship in neighbouring Trinidad and Tobago, calling it a dangerous “provocation” amid fears Washington could be preparing a mainland invasion. The USS