Maduro: 'Terrorist' attack on Venezuela army base repelled

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Venezuela's military said Sunday it repelled a "terrorist" attack on a base in the city of Valencia, led by an army deserter allegedly linked to "foreign governments."

Two of the attackers were killed and eight were captured, President Nicolas Maduro said on state television, claiming the group of "mercenaries" – whose total number he put at around 20 – had ties to Colombia and the United States.

Officials insisted afterward that all was normal across the country.

The entrance of the 41 Brigada Blindada Fuerte Paramacay military base is seen in Valencia, Venezuela, August 6, 2017. /Reuters Photo

Still, the incident heightened fears that Venezuela's deepening political and economic crisis could explode into greater violence.

In Valencia, a major northwestern city, military helicopters flew overhead as tactical armored vehicles patrolled the streets in a climate of tension.

Locals said a nighttime curfew had been imposed, as flaming barricades set up in the street by anti-government protesters spewed black smoke.

The armed forces said in a statement "a group of civilian criminals wearing military uniforms and a first lieutenant who had deserted" carried out the attack, during which a number of weapons were stolen.

The lieutenant and several of the attackers were arrested but "an intense search" was on for the others who made off with the arms, the military said.

Members of security forces stand guard during clashes with demonstrators near Fuerte Paramacay military base in Valencia, Venezuela, August 6, 2017. /Reuters Photo

Maduro said the captured lieutenant was "actively giving information and we have testimony from seven of the civilians."

Maduro congratulated the army for its "immediate reaction" in putting down the attack, saying they earned his "admiration."

Controversial Constituent Assembly

Venezuela has become increasingly isolated internationally as Maduro has tightened his hold on power through a contested loyalist assembly that started work this week.

The opposition, which controls the legislature, has been sidelined. Its leaders are under threat of arrest after organizing protests, fiercely countered by security forces, which have left 125 people dead in the past four months.

One prominent leader, Leopoldo Lopez, was returned to house arrest after being hauled off to military prison four days ago.

Venezuela's Chief Prosecutor Luisa Ortega gets onto a motorcycle after a flash visit to the Public Prosecutor's office in Caracas, Venezuela, August 5, 2017. /Reuters Photo

On Saturday, the new Constituent Assembly ordered the dismissal of the attorney general, Luisa Ortega, who had broken ranks with Maduro to become one of his most vociferous critics.

Opposition leaders have called on the military, which historically has served as an arbiter of political disputes, to break with Maduro over what it considers violations of the Constitution.

Maduro offers official plane to blocked Venezuelan athletes

Maduro on Sunday offered his official plane to national athletes who have had to forfeit competitions abroad because of lack of commercial flights out of their crisis-hit country.

"If they can't manage (flights) because of saboteurs, the presidential plane is available for the national teams to take them wherever in the world," Maduro said on state television.

Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro speaks during his weekly broadcast "Los Domingos con Maduro" (The Sundays with Maduro) in Caracas, Venezuela, August 6, 2017. /Reuters Photo

The leftist leader regularly accuses the opposition of sabotaging the country's economy in collaboration with the United States.

Several major foreign airlines, pressured by currency controls and growing insecurity in Venezuela, have suspended or reduced services, making flights out few and costly.

The country's national volleyball, fencing and softball teams have been affected recently, some forfeiting because they were unable to make competitions in other countries.

Maduro said he could travel overland, "by motorbike or mule," if necessary, "but our national teams must not miss any international competition."

(Source: AFP)

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