Venezuela’s Maduro survives assassination attempt

Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro has survived an assassination attempt at a military event in Caracas.

Confusion is growing about an alleged attempt to assassinate Venezuela’s President Nicolas Maduro. A previously unknown group has claimed responsibility for an attack using explosive-laden drones at a military parade in the capital on Saturday.

Maduro, however, said initial investigations show several financiers and planners of the attack live in Florida, in the United States. He then blamed Venezuela’s “far right” whom he said were working in conjunction with neighbouring Colombians.

Firefighters report there was no attack and that explosion nearby were caused by a gas tank igniting in a nearby apartment block.

The government says drones loaded with explosives detonated close to a military event where the Venezuelan President was giving a speech on Saturday, but he and top government officials alongside him escaped unharmed.

In an address to the nation after the event, Maduro said: “This was an attempt to kill me. Today they attempted to assassinate me.”

Maduro wore a presidential banner and was in the capital of Caracas during a celebration of the National Guard’s 81st anniversary.

Maduro, a former bus driver who replaced former President Hugo Chavez after his death in 2013, won a new six-year term in May but his main rivals disavowed the election and alleged massive irregularities.

Venezuela is suffering under the fifth year of a severe economic crisis that has sparked malnutrition, hyperinflation and mass emigration.

SOURCE: The Sydney Morning Herald