At least 27 cadets of the Bolivarian National Armed Forces (FANB) were arrested by Nicolás Maduro’s government, accused of conspiring against the regime.
Former Chavista minister and retired Major General Hebert García Plaza denounced that the arrest of the cadets and the intervention in the Military Academy are related to an alleged plan to kidnap key government figures, such as former Supreme Court (TSJ) president Maikel Moreno.
García Plaza’s Statements
The dictator @NicolasMaduro with the complicity of @vladimirpadrino and @dcabellor has started a persecution within the military institution, under the pretext of conspiracy plans to kidnap Maduro regime leaders like Maikel Moreno, as announced by @dcabellor…
— Hebert García Plaza (@HJGarciaPlaza) February 17, 2025
The detained cadets, aged 21 and older, were transferred to the DGCIM in Boleita. They were arrested without warrants, and their families were not notified. Meanwhile, those under 21 remain detained at the Army Academy. The solution to…
— Hebert García Plaza (@HJGarciaPlaza) February 17, 2025
“They arrested 27 cadets, and 19 of them were taken to the DGCIM. The discontent caused by the Nazi-style persecution you lead, which targets both civilians and military personnel just for thinking differently and defending the electoral result of July 28, when you were defeated by more than 4 million votes, has reached the heart of the people and the armed institution. This is now irreversible.” wrote García Plaza on his X account, responding to Nicolás Maduro, who had called opposition sectors “Nazis.”
The Government’s Response
García Plaza explained that Maduro is trying to control discontent within the Army, and that this harassment is being carried out by Defense Minister Padrino López and Interior and Justice Minister Diosdado Cabello.
The Intervention of the Military Academy
“They decided to intervene in the Army Military Academy, arresting several 4th- and 5th-year cadets allegedly involved in these plans. If they had to go to that level, it is because, without a doubt, the discontent caused by the electoral fraud of July 28 has reached all levels of public administration, including the military institution from its very foundation.” he commented.
A Nazi cell @NicolasMaduro? Why don’t you comment on the arrests that took place today at the Army Military Academy? They took 27 cadets, and 19 of them were transferred to the DGCIM. The discontent caused by the Nazi-style persecution you lead and that… https://t.co/8kwFN2Bm56
— Hebert García Plaza (@HJGarciaPlaza) February 18, 2025
The Dismantled Plan
On February 13, Cabello announced that a plan had been dismantled that supposedly aimed to kidnap magistrate Maikel Moreno. He also reported that several sergeants and lieutenants were arrested during the operation, including Damián Alexander Rojas Díaz, who had been involved in the so-called “Operation Aurora” in 2019.
GIPHY App Key not set. Please check settings