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VENEZUELA-ARRESTED-DRONE-ATTACK
6 arrested in drone attack against Venezuela’s Maduro
CARACAS, Aug. 6, 2018 (BSS/Xinhua) – Venezuelan authorities announced
Sunday that they’ve arrested six individuals suspected of involvement in the
assassination attempt against President Nicolas Maduro.
“The responsible parties, both those who carried out the attack and those
who supported it, both in the country and outside, have been identified. And
there will be more arrests in the coming hours,” said Interior Minister
Nestor Luis Reverol.
In addition to the six arrested, several vehicles have been seized and
hotel room searches have taken place. During the searches, Reverol said
important video evidence was uncovered.
He said that investigation has determined this was “an act of terrorism and
an attempted assassination of a head of state,” which clearly showed that
“these terrorists … have reached new heights in the spiraling violence.”
The act is also seen as an attempt to murder those present, including
civilians, public officials, high-ranking military officials and various
ministers, he added.
Reverol called on the international community not to turn a blind eye to
what happened. He also thanked the security forces for their quick work.
Minister of Communication and Information Jorge Rodriguez said on Saturday
the attempt against Maduro was carried out using drones loaded with
explosives, which were detonated near the presidential platform where Maduro
was giving a speech to commemorate the 81st anniversary of the National
Guard.
Maduro, unharmed, blamed the attempt on Venezuela’s far right with the help
of the far right in Colombia and radical forces in Miami.
BSS/Xinhua/MSY/1102 hrs