$50 mn offered for Maduro murder attempt: Venezuela

The Venezuelan government has released several videos as evidence of the August 4 assassination attempt on its President Nicolas Maduro, claiming $50 million were offered to the attackers. The videos were broadcast on the state radio and TV network during a statement by President Nicolas Maduro on Tuesday, Efe news reported.

As per Venezuelan government, the perpetrators had received training in drone control and explosives in the Colombian Department of Norte de Santander.

Maduro said the “terrorists” had received orders to fly two drones with explosives to make an attempt on his life as well on the political and military leaders accompanying him on stage during the 81st anniversary celebration of the Bolivarian National Guard (GNB).

The Venezuelan Prosecutor’s Office notified it had identified the authors of the attack and the government revealed the identities of five of the perpetrators. They were retired sergeants of the GNB and an immigration official, who was in charge of facilitating free passage to the attackers between Venezuela and Colombia.

Maduro claimed they were also implicated in the violent attacks during the 2014 and 2017 anti-government protests. “I am sure they will get the toughest sentence. They all are part of the (violent) group Guarimberos, participants in the political groups of the Venezuelan right,” he added.

Meanwhile, Venezuela’s all-powerful constituent assembly was to launch proceedings on Wednesday to try Opposition lawmakers over an “attack” on Maduro, who accused exiled Opposition leader Julio Borges (in pic). Constituent Assembly chief Diosdado Cabello called the session to strip the lawmakers of statutory immunity so they could face trial for the alleged and failed bid to kill the President.