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Maduro accuses US of plotting to kill him | Maduro accuses US of plotting to kill him |
(35 minutes later) | |
Venezuela's President Nicolás Maduro has accused the US of plotting to kill him and topple his government. | Venezuela's President Nicolás Maduro has accused the US of plotting to kill him and topple his government. |
He told reporters that US National Security Adviser John Bolton was personally involved in the plot, but did not produce any evidence. | He told reporters that US National Security Adviser John Bolton was personally involved in the plot, but did not produce any evidence. |
President Trump has labelled the leftist leader a dictator and has imposed sanctions. | President Trump has labelled the leftist leader a dictator and has imposed sanctions. |
Earlier this week the US criticised the arrival of two Russian bombers in Venezuela. | Earlier this week the US criticised the arrival of two Russian bombers in Venezuela. |
The Russian Tupolev Tu-160 bombers are capable of carrying nuclear weapons. | The Russian Tupolev Tu-160 bombers are capable of carrying nuclear weapons. |
What did Maduro say? | What did Maduro say? |
"John Bolton has been assigned with the job organising my assassination, deploying foreign troops and imposing a transitional government in Venezuela," he told journalists at the Miraflores presidential palace. | "John Bolton has been assigned with the job organising my assassination, deploying foreign troops and imposing a transitional government in Venezuela," he told journalists at the Miraflores presidential palace. |
The Venezuelan people were prepared to fight back, with the help of "friendly countries," he added, | |
Mr Maduro has previously accused the US as well as Colombia and the Venezuelan opposition of plotting to kill him. | Mr Maduro has previously accused the US as well as Colombia and the Venezuelan opposition of plotting to kill him. |
What was behind the visit by Russian bombers? | What was behind the visit by Russian bombers? |
The US is increasingly concerned by his government's links with Russia, China and other countries that have differences with the Trump administration. | The US is increasingly concerned by his government's links with Russia, China and other countries that have differences with the Trump administration. |
US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said the Russian bombers' visit amounted to "two corrupt governments squandering public funds". | US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said the Russian bombers' visit amounted to "two corrupt governments squandering public funds". |
The Russian government called his words "completely inappropriate". | The Russian government called his words "completely inappropriate". |
The long-range strategic bombers landed at Simón Bolívar airport outside of the Venezuelan capital, Caracas, on Monday along with two other Russian planes. | The long-range strategic bombers landed at Simón Bolívar airport outside of the Venezuelan capital, Caracas, on Monday along with two other Russian planes. |
Venezuelan Defence Minister Vladimir Padrino said they were part of air force exercises with its Russian allies: "This we are going to do with our friends, because we have friends in the world who defend respectful, balanced relations." | Venezuelan Defence Minister Vladimir Padrino said they were part of air force exercises with its Russian allies: "This we are going to do with our friends, because we have friends in the world who defend respectful, balanced relations." |
How deep is Venezuela's economic crisis? | How deep is Venezuela's economic crisis? |
More than two million people have fled Venezuela since 2014, about 7% of the country's population. | More than two million people have fled Venezuela since 2014, about 7% of the country's population. |
Venezuela says the US has waged an economic war to put an end to almost 20 years of socialism in the country. | Venezuela says the US has waged an economic war to put an end to almost 20 years of socialism in the country. |
Mr Maduro blames the US policies and sanctions for the high inflation and shortage of food, medicines and other goods. | Mr Maduro blames the US policies and sanctions for the high inflation and shortage of food, medicines and other goods. |
On Monday, the American tyre maker, Goodyear, announced it was halting operations in the country. | On Monday, the American tyre maker, Goodyear, announced it was halting operations in the country. |
"Our goal had been to maintain its operations, but economic conditions and US sanctions have made this impossible," said Goodyear in a statement. | "Our goal had been to maintain its operations, but economic conditions and US sanctions have made this impossible," said Goodyear in a statement. |
Its employees in Venezuela have each been given 10 tyres as part of their severance payment. | Its employees in Venezuela have each been given 10 tyres as part of their severance payment. |
A number of foreign firms, including Kellogg and Clorox, have pulled out of Venezuela, citing a growing economic crisis and US sanctions. | A number of foreign firms, including Kellogg and Clorox, have pulled out of Venezuela, citing a growing economic crisis and US sanctions. |