Venezuela's Maduro target of drone 'attack,' but unharmed - government

[rooster59]

Venezuela's Maduro target of drone 'attack,' but unharmed - government

By Alexandra Ulmer

 

Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores attend a military event in Caracas, Venezuela, August 4, 2018. Miraflores Palace/Handout via REUTERS

 

CARACAS (Reuters) - Drones loaded with explosives detonated close to a military event where Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro was giving a speech on Saturday, but he and top government officials alongside him escaped unharmed from what Information Minister Jorge Rodriguez called an "attack" targeting the leftist leader. Seven National Guard soldiers were injured, Rodriguez added.

 

A broadcast by Maduro was cut short during an outdoor speech at a military event in Caracas and soldiers were seen running before the televised transmission was cut off.

 

While Maduro was speaking about Venezuela's economy, the audio suddenly went and he and others on the podium looked up, startled. The camera then panned to scores of soldiers who started running, before the transmission was cut.

 

Venezuela is living under the fifth year of a severe economic crisis that has sparked malnutrition, hyperinflation and mass emigration.

 

OPEC member Venezuela's once-thriving socialist economy has collapsed since the 2014 fall of oil prices.

 

Maduro, a former bus driver, won a new six-year term in May but his main rivals disavowed the election and alleged massive irregularities.

 

Maduro replaced former President Hugo Chavez after his death from cancer in 2013. The self-described "son" of Chavez, Maduro says he is battling an "imperialist" plot to destroy socialism and take over Venezuela's oil. Opponents accuse him of authoritarianism, saying he has destroyed a once-wealthy economy and ruthlessly crushed dissent.

 

Last year, rogue police officer Oscar Perez hijacked a helicopter and fired at government buildings in what he said was an action against a dictator. Perez was hunted down and killed by Venezuelan forces.

 

 

-- © Copyright Reuters 2018-08-05

[Get Real]

Yep! His days are counted. People in a country can only take soo much, and they have already been taking it too long time in too big portions.

[klauskunkel]

1 hour ago, rooster59 said:

Venezuela is living under the fifth year of a severe economic crisis that has sparked malnutrition

they all look well-fed to me

[canopus1969]

Shame, better luck next time  

[Baerboxer]

2 hours ago, klauskunkel said:

they all look well-fed to me

 

Ah, but they are then ones who are 'more equal".

[ChiangMaiLightning2143]

Very frequently reported that terrorists would exploit these devices, what are heavily restricted in sensible countries. What next a chemical attack?

 

Even if innocently used I think it is quite a queer hobby flying a Dronn around peeping at people.

 

They should be banned.

[Sir Dude]

Just another El Presidente type with a dodgy stache clutching his fist in the air at any possibility to look passionate. He won't last indefinitely as the people will eventually out him. Also, way-to-go on screwing up a country with the largest proven oil reserves in the world. Should be a South American powerhouse, but instead a is the usual failed socialist experiment...imagine that. 

[Kiwiken]

I do not like his politics or policies but find it sad that some believe assassination is a reasonable means to replace someone. He is just the head of a Government very few cults of One can survive. So you need replace the whole lot of them. Hopefully when the are replaced it is by a Government elected by the People and not some interim Junta or Puppet Government.

[observer90210]

The Venezuela junta is much worse with it's people then the junta in our beloved, favorite country....

[TallGuyJohninBKK]

I think the little bleached blond hottie to the left of El Presidente is his wife, Cilia Flores, who looks a bit like Hilary Clinton in that outfit.

 

Quote

There have been multiple allegations that Cilia and her family are involved in heavy drug trafficking and terrorist activities, to the point that two of the nephews of the presidential couple were arrested for narcotics trafficking. The nephews, Efraín Antonio Campo Flores and Francisco Flores de Freitas, were arrested on November 2015 by the United States Drug Enforcement Administration in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, after attempting to transport 800 kilograms of cocaine into the United States.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cilia_Flores

 

But the one I'm more curious about is the little short guy with the mustache 4th from the left in the photo. How did he ever make it into the military?  I know, I know. He's probably the head of the Venezuelan secret police!

 

[JestSetter]

If I were a despot --benevolent or not-- I would stage a drone attack or something like it. Then, I could claim terrorists are attacking the country and beef up security even more on all fronts. Maybe even build walls around the country. And, of course, I could then use all of those arms I am making and wage wars against the most convenient bad guys of the jour to advance some economic policy as well. Mmmm! Sounds familiar. No?