In a social media footage, there could be an attack on the Supreme Court as it shows how a police helicopter circling over the city before shots and a loud bang are heard.
The police officer said to have piloted the stolen aircraft issued a statement denouncing the “criminal government”. His whereabouts are unknown.
Military attack senators of national congress in #Venezuela ?? #27June pic.twitter.com/VydJG6KJ0z
— Oscar Contreras∴ (@oscarcontrera) June 28, 2017
It comes after mass protests against the political and economic crisis.
The Supreme Court is regularly criticised by the Venezuelan opposition for its rulings which bolster Mr Maduro’s hold on power. In an address from the presidential palace, President Maduro said the helicopter had flown over the Supreme Court and also the justice and interior ministries.
Officials quoted by Reuters news agency said four grenades were dropped on the court and 15 shots had been fired at the interior ministry. A police officer identified himself as Oscar Pérez in video statements posted on the social media platform Instagram.
? #Venezuela's President Maduro said that police helicopter had attacked court in #Caracas but grenade tossed at building did not explode
? pic.twitter.com/81QRfzTBuG— Mete Sohtaoğlu (@metesohtaoglu) June 28, 2017
Appearing in military fatigues and flanked by armed, masked men in uniform, he appealed to Venezuelans to oppose “tyranny”. His speech read,
“We are a coalition of military employees, policemen and civilians who are looking for balance and are against this criminal government,” he said.
“We don’t belong to any political tendency or party. We are nationalists, patriots and institutionalists.”
He said the “fight” was not against the security forces but “against the impunity of this government. It is against tyranny”.
It is not clear how much support, if any, the officer has.
BBC
