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Venezuelan general arrested over ‘attack’ on Maduro
CARACAS, Aug 14, 2018 (BSS/AFP) – A Venezuelan general has been arrested
over the alleged assassination attempt on President Nicolas Maduro, Attorney
General Tarek William Saab said on Tuesday.
National Guard Major General Alejandro Perez Gomez appeared before a judge
on Monday along with opposition politician Juan Requesens and colonel Pedro
Javier Zambrano, Saab told a press conference.
To date, 14 people have been arrested and charged for allegedly taking part
in the August 4 incident in which Maduro was seen reacting on live television
to an off-camera explosion while he addressed a military parade in Caracas.
A second explosion was heard and then the assembled troops could be seen
breaking formation and scattering in panic.
Maduro said the blasts were from explosives-laden drones sent to
assassinate him.
Saab told journalists further arrests were possible.
Maduro has blamed the attack on “terrorist cells” in Florida led by a man
called Osman Delgado Tabosky, whom he claims was behind the plot. The state
is home to a large community of Venezuelan immigrants.
Maduro said this week that he would allow FBI agents to come to Venezuela
to help investigate the alleged plot.
BSS/AFP/MRI/2254 hrs