Venezuelan Government Says Colombians Planning To Kill President Maduro Have Been Arrested

Nine arrested allegedly right-wing paramilitaries

The Venezuelan government says it has arrested nine Colombian right-wing paramilitaries who were plotting to assassinate President Nicolas Maduro.

Interior Minister Miguel Rodriguez said the nine had been instructed to go to the Venezuelan capital, Caracas, and carry out the plot.

More arrests are expected, he added.

President Maduro was elected in April to succeed late president Hugo Chavez, who died of cancer after 14 years in office.

In May, Mr Maduro accused Colombian politicians, led by former President Alvaro Uribe, of plotting to kill him.