US denies involvement in Venezuela drone blast

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The US government had no involvement in Saturday's drone blast at a military event where Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro was giving a speech, US National Security Adviser John Bolton said on Sunday.

"I can say unequivocally there is no US government involvement in this at all," Bolton said.

Earlier, Maduro had blamed Colombia and the US for what he called a right-wing plot to kill him.

Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro (L) gestures during a ceremony to celebrate the 81st anniversary of the National Guard in Caracas, August 4, 2018. /VCG Photo

"Initial investigations indicate that various of those financing it live in the US, in the state of Florida. I hope that President Donald Trump is ready to fight these terrorist groups," the president said.

Venezuelan state television images showed Maduro looking up disconcertedly in the middle of a speech having heard a bang before members of the country's National Guard lined up in the parade suddenly scattered.

But no drones could be seen in the television broadcast, which showed bodyguards jumping in front of Maduro to protect him with flexible ballistic shield, and the broadcast was quickly cut.

According to the government, at least seven soldiers were wounded in the alleged attack.

(With input from Reuters)