This article is from the source 'rtcom' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.rt.com/news/398796-venezuela-military-base-terrorist-attack/

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
'Terrorist attack' on military base in Venezuela foiled – official 2 killed, 8 captured in foiled ‘terrorist attack’ on Venezuelan army base – Maduro
(about 9 hours later)
Authorities in Venezuela have announced they thwarted a "terrorist attack" on a military base not far from the capital, Caracas. The statement comes after a group of men in military uniforms released a video announcing an uprising against President Nicolas Maduro. At least two fighters have been killed and eight others captured after a group of armed men in military uniforms stormed a Venezuelan army base, president Nicolas Maduro announced, calling the attack an act of “terrorism.”
Fort Paramacay, near the central city of Valencia, was attacked by "mercenary terrorist groups," Venezuelan official, Socialist Party deputy Diosdado Cabello tweeted on Sunday. At 4:30am, a group of 20 armed men stormed the Paramacay military base in the city of Valencia. The insurgents managed to reach the weapons depot before the alarm alerted the troops, sparking a fierce gun battle.
Gunshots were heard in the area during the night, Reuters reported, citing a witness in the area of the military base in the town of Naguanagua. “Today we had to defeat terrorism with bullets,” Maduro announced on state television, claiming that the attack was “paid for by Miami and Colombia,” where large Venezuelan expat communities reside.
The official said the base was "fully under control" of the authorities. The news of the attack came shortly after footage was released on social media, showing a group of men in military uniforms. The video also showed a man who identified himself as Juan Carlos Caguaripano, a former National Guard captain, who called for an uprising against the government and demanding the “immediate formation of a transition government.”
Armed men were trying to steal weapons, Reuters reported, citing officials. Seven people were detained, while security forces continue to search for more attackers from the group.
The news of the attack came shortly after a video was released on social media, showing a group of men in military uniform. A man who identified himself as Juan Carlos Caguaripano, a former National Guard captain, called for an uprising against the government, demanding the "immediate formation of a transition government." After an intense battle that lasted for over three hours, the troops killed 2 militants, wound another, and capture seven more armed men, Maduro said.
Military officials announced on Sunday the attackers were "a group of civilians dressed in military uniforms," headed by a former army lieutenant. The man was dismissed from the service three years ago "for treason and mutiny," the military said in a statement, adding that he reportedly fled the country and was hiding out in the US. The military is now searching for the remaining ten attackers who managed to escape.
On Friday, a controversial new legislative body was inaugurated in Venezuela, tasked with rewriting the constitution and empowered to dissolve the current parliament. The formation of the new assembly has been widely criticized by opposition forces, who say it is aimed at stripping them of power. “We know where they are headed and all of our military and police force is deployed,” Maduro said, according to AP, vowing to ask for “the maximum penalty for those who participated in this terrorist attack.”
The opposition has also defied a ban on public protests, and denounced the recent election in the country as a power grab by President Maduro. Meanwhile, the US government targeted several senior Venezuelan officials with economic sanctions that President Maduro called "illegal, insolent and unprecedented." Venezuela's defense minister described the attackers as a “paramilitary” expedition of civilians dressed in uniforms. While failing to identify those killed or captured, Vladimir Padrino Lopez did reveal that one of the attackers was a lieutenant who had deserted.
Commenting on Caguaripano’s call to action video that widely circulated on social media, Lopez said he was a former officer who was discharged three years ago after “being charged with rebellion and betraying the homeland.”
He claimed the attackers were recruited by “right-wing extremists” working for certain foreign governments.
“Today’s terrorist attack is no more than a propaganda show,” Lopez said.
Sunday’s incident comes amid ongoing and escalating tensions in the country.
Venezuela's crisis entered a new phase after the inauguration of the Constituent Assembly (CA), which during its first order of business Saturday, dismissed from office the main opposition figure and Chief Prosecutor Luisa Ortega.
The formation of the new assembly comes against a backdrop of violent street protests and clashes which has claimed over 150 lives over recent months. The CA has been widely criticized by opposition figures who say it is aimed at stripping them of power. Meanwhile, the US government targeted several senior Venezuelan officials with economic sanctions which president Maduro called "illegal, insolent and unprecedented."