Venezuela probing foreign ties to attack
CARACAS, Venezuela — Venezuela’s attorney general said on Monday that investigators have identified the perpetrators of an alleged attack on President Nicolas Maduro during a weekend military event.
The suspects and their helpers are being investigated, as are international links, said Attorney General Tarek William Saab. “It was an attempted assassination and an attempted massacre, as the highest rungs of government and military were at the attack site,” he said.
Saab said the six people arrested could face charges including treason, attempted homicide and terrorism.
Later Monday, pro-government factions mobilized thousands of Venezuelans dressed in red — the color of the ruling socialist party — onto the streets of the capital in a bid to show the country remains united around Maduro.
“This river of red,” Foreign Minister Jorge Arreaza declared as the crowd waved flags and carried posters with Maduro’s image. “It could have been another red running through these streets.”
“They need to pay the penalty Venezuela’s law calls for,” Diosdado Cabello, a high-ranking socialist party leader, told the crowd of thousands. “There won’t be any more forgiveness.”
Public employees are required to attend such pro-government rallies to ensure a strong show of support.
Maduro, who was unharmed in the attack, said he was the target of explosives carried by drones that were set off at a military event in Caracas on Saturday. The moment of the alleged assassination attempt was broadcast on live state television. Seven national guardsmen were critically injured, according to official statements.
Saab said Monday that two suspects were detained quickly on Saturday after witnesses saw them operating one of the drones from a vehicle. He added that there was evidence that the attack was linked to an ongoing investigating related to a “terrorist attack” last year.
The comment appeared to be a reference to rogue police officer Oscar Perez, who flew a stolen helicopter over the capital in June 2017 and launched grenades at several government buildings. He and several comrades were killed in a gunbattle with police after months on the lam.
In his rallying speech, Cabello told Venezuelans there is no doubt that the “Colombian oligarchy” and “North American imperialism” were behind Saturday’s attack.
Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos vehemently denied the accusation, saying that at the time of the attack he was at the baptism of his newborn granddaughter. The United States has also denied any involvement.
Critics have cast doubt on the official version of the attack, fearing it will be used by Maduro to tighten his grip.
“We warn that this confusing incident can be used as an excuse to do away with the constitutional right of the people to protest,” said the Broad Front opposition group.
The Venezuelan government accused Colombia of downplaying the alleged attack and said it would be responsible for “any new aggression” against Venezuela.
The Colombian government had talked about a “supposed” attack in an attempt to cast doubt on its veracity, the government said in a statement.
“It is surprising, to say the least, that the first reaction of the Colombian government is not to condemn the attempted magnicide, nor to express concern for the life and security of the head of state of a neighboring country,” the Venezuelan government said.