(18 hours ago)

Venezuela says it has thwarted what it calls a CIA-linked plot to attack a US warship anchored in Trinidad.

It claims the US would have blamed Venezuela for the attack on the USS Gravely, a guided-missile destroyer, to justify aggression against it.

The allegation comes a day after Venezuela said it had arrested mercenaries it alleged were connected to the US intelligence agency.

Venezuelan Foreign Minister Yvan Gil said in a statement he had advised Trinidad and Tobago of the alleged false-flag operation.