Maduro says he would take FBI help in 'murder plot'

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President Nicolas Maduro has said he would allow FBI agents come to Venezuela to help investigate a recent alleged plot to kill him with explosive drones – but with conditions.

If US officials confirm "the offer for the FBI to investigate links in Florida with the assassination plan... I would agree for the FBI to come here," Maduro said at an event with top military leaders late on Saturday.

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The incident took place on the evening of August 4 when Maduro said he was targeted by an explosives-laden drone at a military parade in Caracas which was broadcast live on TV.

Maduro has blamed the attack on "terrorist cells" in Florida led by a man called Osman Delgado Tabosky. The state is home to a large community of Venezuelan expats.

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

His apparent willingness to accept the FBI's help came after Foreign Minister Jorge Arreaza said on Wednesday that Washington's charge d'affairs in Caracas, James Story, had expressed "the willingness of his government to cooperate" in the investigation of the plot.

During the incident, an explosion occurred above Maduro's head as he was speaking, then when a second explosion was heard and troops could be seen scattering in panic.

Authorities have arrested 10 suspects whom they accuse of involvement backed by support from neighboring Colombia as well as from people living in the US.

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

Maduro has repeatedly accused Washington of conspiring to oust him, with relations between the two countries so frosty that ambassadors have not been exchanged since 2010.

Following the drone incident, US President Donald Trump's National Security Adviser John Bolton insisted there had been "no US government involvement."

But he said that if Venezuela had "hard information" about any violation of US law, Washington would "take a serious look at it."

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

Source(s): AFP