Venezuelan Interior and Justice Minister Nestor Reverol said Thursday that the government has "stepped up" security around Vice President Nicolas Maduro and National Assembly President Diosdado Cabello.

The measures came a day after the government announced authorities had uncovered a plot by right-wing extremists to attack the two senior officials.

"We say to the extreme right that the people and the government of Commander Hugo Chavez are proud to have these comrades in our revolutionary, anti-imperialist and socialist government," said Reverol.

Luisa Ortega Dias, Venezuela's attorney general, said the Public Prosecutor's Office has launched an investigation into the alleged plot.

Maduro is the political successor to Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez, who remains hospitalized in Cuba. Cabello, who is also head of the ruling socialist party, would be named interim leader until new elections are held should Chavez be unable to complete his presidency.

The Venezuelan government has accused extremists of seeking to assassinate Chavez and overthrow the government.