Venezuela opposition releases recording it says suggests Cuban meddling in country's politics

CARACAS, Venezuela – Venezuela's opposition has released an audio recording that it says contains a prominent member of the ruling party discussing political strategy with a Cuban intelligence officer.

Opposition lawmaker Ismael Garcia says the recording captures a phone conversation between state TV personality Mario Silva, a staunch government ally, and a Cuban identified as Lt. Col. Aramis Palacios.

Garcia didn't say on Monday when the conversation was recorded or how he obtained it.

In it, a man identified as Silva is heard discussing a split in the ruling socialist party between parliament leader Diosdado Cabello and President Nicolas Maduro, the late Hugo Chavez's successor.

Silva dismissed the recording on Twitter as a "montage."

Venezuela's opposition has accused Cuban leaders of wielding influence behind the scenes in guiding government decisions.