Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro Survives Assassination Attempt

Venezuelan state television showed moments of panic when a speech by President Nicolás Maduro was interrupted by blasts. The government said that drones carrying explosives targeted the president. Screenshot: VTV via AP

Explosives carried by drones were detonated near Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his entourage at a military ceremony Saturday in what he called an assassination attempt by right-wing foes.

Maduro was unharmed, but the blasts injured seven soldiers taking part in the military parade honouring the National Guard in the capital of Caracas, the government said.

“It was an attempt to kill me, they tried to assassinate me today,” Maduro said on national television three hours after the incident, as his aides listened and applauded him.

The president said suspects had been arrested but didn’t specify a number.

He vowed that others would be rounded up in what he said would be a harsh crackdown. 

“You’ve failed again,” he said, referring to his opponents. “There will not be forgiveness. We will chase you and we will capture you wherever you are.” 

He blamed the government of Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos, who has been critical of growing repression in Venezuela, as well as unnamed right-wing forces in Florida.





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