Venezuela’s Nicolas Maduro survived an assassination attempt, the government says.

Firefighters rebut government’s claim of Maduro assassination try

CARACAS, Venezuela — Drones carrying explosives detonated near Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro as he gave a speech to soldiers Saturday, but the socialist leader was unharmed, according to the government.

Seven people were injured in the apparent attack which came as Maduro celebrated the National Guard’s 81st anniversary, said Information Minister Jorge Rodriguez. Maduro’s speech was cut short, and soldiers could be seen breaking ranks and scattering.

“At exactly 5:41 p.m. in the afternoon several explosions were heard,” Rodriguez said in a live address to the nation minutes after the incident. “The investigation clearly reveals they came from drone-like devices that carried explosives.”

Later Saturday, Maduro said authorities captured some of those responsible for what he called an assassination attempt. He did not provide names of those arrested, how many were arrested or the possible charges they face.

Firefighters at the scene disputed the government’s version. Three local authorities who spoke on condition of anonymity said a gas tank exploded inside an apartment near the site of Maduro’s speech.

Smoke could be seen coming out a building window.

Venezuela’s government routinely accuses opposition activists of plotting to overthrow Maduro, who recently was elected to a new term in a vote decried by dozens of nations. Maduro has moved to concentrate power as the nation reels from a crippling economic crisis.

Adding to the confusion, a previously unknown group calling itself Soldiers in T-shirts claimed responsibility, saying it planned to fly two drones loaded with explosives at the president, but government soldiers shot them down.

The Associated Press could not verify the authenticity of the message and the organization did not respond to a message seeking more information.

State television was broadcasting Maduro’s speech at the National Guard anniversary live when the explosion happened.

“We are going to bet for the good of our country,” Maduro declared triumphantly moments before the sound of an explosion pierced the air. “The hour of the economy recovery has come.”

Seconds later Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, looked up to the sky and winced.

The cameras then turned to a wide shot of uniformed military officers standing at attention in neat lines as they broke rank and began running. The transmission then cut off.

Images being shared on social media showed officers surrounding Maduro with what appeared to be a black bullet-proof barrier as they escorted him from the site.

Nicolas Maduro