Remigio Ceballos, Venezuela's sectoral vice president for Citizen Security and Peace, accused the United States, Colombia, and European nations today of equipping criminal gangs to prove the western narrative of a fragile state.

During a break in Police Operation Gran Cacique Indio Guaicaipuro II, which was carried out in the state of Aragua and resulted in the death of five criminals who confronted authorities, Ceballos accused Washington and its allies of being behind these destabilizing acts.

He also stated during a news conference that 13 persons, nine males, and four women, who were extorting merchants in the region had been apprehended.

He described the seizure of 9 mm caliber weapons, seven rifle magazines, 1,300 cartridges, nine tank trucks, cargo vehicles, motorcycles, radios, tablets, cell phones, chemical products, bulletproof vests, and accounting books.

He stated that the cellphones were bought in Colombia, Peru, Chile, and Ecuador.

He stated that they are looking for the alias El Conejo, one of the gang leaders.

He reaffirmed that Tejeras' region had been freed and that similar operations will be carried out in other states to put a stop to organized crime.

On the other side, he praised the security forces for their efforts, thanking them  “for their generosity, effort, courage, constant dedication and their sacrifice to protect and defend the Venezuelan people.”