In this Feb 28, 2019 file photo, Venezuelan ambassador to the United Nations Samuel Moncada speaks to the United Nations Security Council meeting at the United Nations in New York. (JOHANNES EISELE / AFP)

CARACAS - A US-based consulting firm is financing an online smear campaign against Venezuela's government, the Venezuelan ambassador to the United Nations, Samuel Moncada, said on Thursday.

The company CLS Strategies has been conspiring for years to overthrow the Venezuelan government by using fake (social media) accounts. 

Samuel Moncada, the Venezuelan ambassador to the United Nations

"The company CLS Strategies, headquartered a few blocks from the White House, has been conspiring for years to overthrow the Venezuelan government by using fake (social media) accounts," Moncada said via Twitter.

"CLS Strategies created hundreds of accounts with fake profiles on Facebook and Instagram to manipulate public opinion. The accounts have already been closed, but this is not the only case of a disinformation war from Washington," said the Venezuelan ambassador.

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Moncada cited an article published in 2017 by Mark Feierstein, identified by CLS as a senior partner, in which he presented U.S. President Donald Trump with "strategies to overthrow the Venezuelan government."

"It is clear that CLS serves the Trump administration," Moncada said, noting Feierstein was formerly with the United States Agency for International Development, which has previously been implicated in similar operations against governments Washington consider hostile. 

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