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Venezuela arrests over 'uprising attempt' | Venezuela arrests over 'uprising attempt' |
(about 5 hours later) | |
Arrests have been made in Venezuela after soldiers tried to launch an uprising against President Maduro. | |
An attack was launched against a military barracks in Valencia in the north-western Carabobo state. | |
Army chief Gen Jesus Suarez Chourio said one person had been killed and another badly wounded in the assault. | |
A video released on social media showed uniformed men saying they were rising against a "murderous tyranny". Venezuela has seen months of protests. | A video released on social media showed uniformed men saying they were rising against a "murderous tyranny". Venezuela has seen months of protests. |
"This is not a coup but a military and civil action to re-establish constitutional order," said the leader, who gave his name as Juan Caguaripano. | "This is not a coup but a military and civil action to re-establish constitutional order," said the leader, who gave his name as Juan Caguaripano. |
Mr Cabello said full control had been restored at the Fuerte Paramacay military barracks. | Mr Cabello said full control had been restored at the Fuerte Paramacay military barracks. |
The ruling Socialist Party's deputy leader, Diosdado Cabello, called it a "terrorist attack" on Twitter. | |
A senior military officer, Remigio Ceballos, tweeted that seven people had been arrested. | |
Gen Chourio said: "What happened today was a terrorist, paramilitary, mercenary attack paid for by the right (the opposition) and its collaborators, paid for by the North American empire" - a reference to the US, which has denounced President Maduro's recent actions. | |
Despite the reported arrests, Juan Carlos Colina, a reporter with the Venezolana de Prensa newspaper, told the BBC that loud explosions continued to be heard at the base in the early afternoon, local time. | |
In his short speech, the rebel leader said that his group - which he called the 41st Brigade - was standing against the "murderous tyranny of President Nicolás Maduro". | |
He named young people who have died after attending anti-government protests: Neomar Lander, Geraldine Moreno, Juan Pablo Pernalete and "lots of others with their cardboard shields". | He named young people who have died after attending anti-government protests: Neomar Lander, Geraldine Moreno, Juan Pablo Pernalete and "lots of others with their cardboard shields". |
Lander, 17, and Pernalete, 20, died earlier this year, while Moreno, 23, was shot in the face in a 2014 demonstration. Two members of the National Guard were later jailed for her death. | Lander, 17, and Pernalete, 20, died earlier this year, while Moreno, 23, was shot in the face in a 2014 demonstration. Two members of the National Guard were later jailed for her death. |
Regular protests have been held in the country since April. The opposition accuses left-wing President Maduro of trying to entrench his power. | Regular protests have been held in the country since April. The opposition accuses left-wing President Maduro of trying to entrench his power. |
On Saturday, the newly inaugurated Constituent Assembly held its first session. It immediately voted to dismiss Chief Prosecutor Luisa Ortega, a former ally of President Maduro turned major critic. | On Saturday, the newly inaugurated Constituent Assembly held its first session. It immediately voted to dismiss Chief Prosecutor Luisa Ortega, a former ally of President Maduro turned major critic. |
Members of the assembly were elected after a controversial vote last Sunday, in which no opposition candidates participated and which has led to allegations of voting fraud. | Members of the assembly were elected after a controversial vote last Sunday, in which no opposition candidates participated and which has led to allegations of voting fraud. |
The government has strongly denied the allegations. Mr Maduro repeatedly says he is trying to keep the peace. | The government has strongly denied the allegations. Mr Maduro repeatedly says he is trying to keep the peace. |
The assembly has the power to rewrite the constitution and could override the opposition-controlled National Assembly. | The assembly has the power to rewrite the constitution and could override the opposition-controlled National Assembly. |