A group made up of three Americans, two Spaniards and a Czech citizen were arrested in Venezuela over alleged plans to destabilize the country.
Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello said the individuals, which also include a U.S. service member, were being held on suspicion of planning an attack on Venezuela's leader Nicholas Maduro.
"We know that the United States government has links to this operation," Cabello said.
In response, the U.S. State Department denied the allegations, saying "any claims of U.S. involvement in a plot to overthrow Maduro are categorically false."
Tensions between Venezuela and the United States have picked up ever since the July 28 presidential election in Venezuela, which many claim was stolen by Maduro..