US denies backing Venezuela coup attempt

The State Department is denying Venezuela’s claims that the U.S. was behind a coup aimed at overthrowing President Nicolás Maduro.

“The allegations made by the Venezuelan government that the United States is involved in coup plotting and destabilization are baseless and false,” said spokeswoman Jen Psaki in a statement late Thursday. ” The United States does not support political transitions by non-constitutional means.”

{mosads}The denial came after Venezuelan authorities arrested the mayor of Caracas, Antonio Ledezma, a prominent opposition leader on Thursday. According to reports, the government said the arrest was necessary to thwart a U.S.-backed power grab.

Maduro, whose country has been wracked by political violence and a worsening economic situation in recent days, has accused military leaders and opposition figures of working with the U.S. to destabilize his regime.

The U.S. has repeatedly denied Maduro’s claims.

“The United States is not promoting unrest in Venezuela, nor are we attempting to undermine Venezuela’s economy or its government,” Psaki said.

“We remain Venezuela’s largest trading partner. Venezuela’s economic and political problems are the result of the policies of the Venezuelan government,” she continued.

“The Venezuelan government should stop attempting to distract attention from the country’s economic and political problems and focus on finding real solutions through democratic dialogue among Venezuelans.”