CARACAS, Venezuela — President Hugo Chavez has announced that Venezuelan security forces have arrested a US citizen and suspect he is a mercenary who could be involved in an alleged plot to destabilize the country if the opposition's candidate loses the upcoming presidential election. Chavez said the Hispanic man was detained Aug. 4 while crossing into Venezuela from Colombia. The president said the man was carrying a US passport with entrance and exit stamps from countries including Iraq, Afghanistan and Libya as well as a notebook containing geographical coordinates. The man's identity was not released. An official from the US embassy in Caracas did not answer repeated telephone calls seeking comment on Chavez's announcement. “He has all the appearance of a mercenary," Chavez said, speaking during a campaign rally in the coastal state of Vargas. “We are interrogating him." The man tore up part of the notebook in his possession when he was detained, Chavez said. Chavez suggested, without offering evidence, the American might have been recruited by government opponents to instigate violent protests if opposition candidate Henrique Capriles loses the Oct. 7 election. Chavez has repeatedly vowed to continue trying to steer Venezuela toward socialism. — AP
