Claimed attack on Venezuela Madura will be justification for a purge

Firefighters say the “claimed assassination drone attack” was actually a gas tank explosion inside an apartment.

President Maduro was giving a live televised speech in the capital city of Caracas on Saturday when, a government spokesman said, explosive-carrying drones went off near the president.

Communications Minister Jorge Rodríguez called the incident an “attack” on the leader, reports The Associated Press, and said seven National Guard soldiers were injured.

In 2016, Turkey used a failed coup attempt as an excuse for a purge.

A Venezuela expert says it’s likely President Nicolas Maduro will use a suspected assassination attempt to purge disloyal officials and further clamp down on liberties.

David Smilde of the Washington Office on Latin America says the amateurish attack didn’t appear to be staged by Maduro’s government for political gain.

Smilde says it prompted embarrassing TV images of Maduro cut off mid-sentence with droves of soldiers running away in fear, making the president appear vulnerable.

6 thoughts on “Claimed attack on Venezuela Madura will be justification for a purge”

  1. A purge yet? Reminds me of how Pinochet made his start. When he was appointed defense minister, Allende said he was the man he trusted above anyone else. Four days later…

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