Maduro declares victory in "terrorist attack", says insurrection is U.S. funded

Record ID: 905412

  • Title: Maduro declares victory in "terrorist attack", says insurrection is U.S. funded
  • Date: 6th August 2017
  • Summary: VALENCIA, VENEZUELA (AUGUST 06, 2017) (REUTERS) GENERAL VIEW OF MILITARY BASE WHERE ATTACK REPORTEDLY TOOK PLACE HELICOPTER FLYING ABOVE PEOPLE GATHERED NEAR BASE NATIONAL GUARD VEHICLE NEAR BASE GENERAL VIEW OF VEHICLE NEAR BASE OFFICERS WITH SHIELDS ON DUTY NEAR BASE AMBULANCE ARRIVING AT SCENE AMBULANCE SPEEDING TO SCENE HELICOPTER FLYING ABOVE
  • Embargoed: 20th August 2017 22:56
  • Keywords: terrorist attack military Venezuela opposition President Nicolas Maduro
  • Location: VALENCIA, MIRANDA STATE AND CARACAS, VENEZUELA
  • City: VALENCIA, MIRANDA STATE AND CARACAS, VENEZUELA
  • Country: Venezuela
  • Topics: Government/Politics
  • Reuters ID: LVA0016T0QN9J
  • Aspect Ratio: 16:9
  • Story Text: President Nicolas Maduro on Sunday (August 6) told supporters the country's military had suppressed a "terrorist attack" at a military base in the country, adding that U.S. and Colombian funds were used to finance the move against authorities.
    The small rebellion reportedly took place at a military base near the city of Valencia. Seven men were arrested in what the government is calling a "terrorist attack" against the government of unpopular President Nicolas Maduro.
    During his weekly TV programme, Maduro said a military deserter was amongst those involved and that weapons were stolen from the base.
    Earlier on Sunday a video circulated on social media showing a group of men in military uniform announcing an uprising in the wake of the creation of a pro-government legislative superbody, which was widely condemned as a power grab. Maduro has demanded those behind the attack to face maximum prison sentences.
    Protesters took to the streets in support of the military insurrection, calling for other army units to rise up against the president. Venezuelans view the armed forces as the key power broker in their country, and opposition leaders have repeatedly exhorted the military to break with Maduro over what they call his erosion of democracy and brutality toward demonstrators.
    Since April more than 120 people have been killed in unrest as rock-throwing protesters were met by state security forces firing rubber bullets and water cannon.
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
  • Copyright Notice: (c) Copyright Thomson Reuters 2017. Open For Restrictions - http://about.reuters.com/fulllegal.asp
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