Venezuela says eight killed after ‘mercenaries’ attacked coast

Opposition says attack was 'staged' by Maduro regime

Venezuelan security forces boats are seen, after Venezuela's government announced a failed "mercenary" incursion, in Macuto, Venezuela, May 3, 2020. REUTERS

Venezuelan officials on Sunday said they foiled an early morning attempt by armed “mercenaries” to invade the country in a beach landing using speedboats.

They said eight of the raiders were killed and two arrested.

The boats came from neighbouring Colombia and were trying to enter Venezuela along its northern coast, 32 kilometres from the capital Caracas, Nestor Reverol, the Interior Minister, told state television on Sunday.

“The plan was to commit terrorist acts in the country, assassinate leaders of the revolutionary government and add to the spiral of violence while generating chaos and confusion in the population and attempt a new coup d’etat,” Mr Reverol said.

Diosdado Cabello, president of the Constituent Assembly that oversees government bodies, said a large cache of weapons and some vehicles were seized by security forces.

Officials said they also found Peruvian documents, satellite phones, uniforms and helmets adorned with the US flag.

Colombia and the US have repeatedly denied Venezuelan accusations that they were backing military plots against the socialist government.

The opposition led by the head of the National Assembly, Juan Guaido, said the attack appeared to be staged.

Mr Guaido’s office said the official version was “riddled with inconsistencies, doubts and contradictions”.

It said the event could have been staged to sully the opposition or to cover up extrajudicial killings by state forces.

Defence Minister Vladimir Padrino said that some of the seized weapons were used in the failed uprising led by Mr Guaido last year.

Mr Padrino said the army remained loyal to President Nicolas Maduro and would launch patrols along the coast after the incident.

“This was an evident aggression prepared by US imperialism, without a doubt in Colombian territory,” he said on state television. “New arrests are not ruled out.”

Mr Maduro, whose rule was deemed illegitimate by almost 60 nations who call his re-election in 2018 fraudulent, has resisted many attempts to remove him from power.

A year ago, Mr Guaido rallied some troops behind him to try to force Mr Maduro from power, although it quickly failed when some key players backed out at the last moment.

The US has backed Mr Guaido and has led the campaign to remove Mr Maduro.

The US has increased pressure in recent weeks by indicting the socialist leader as a narco-trafficker and offering a $15 million (Dh55m) reward for his arrest.

It has also has increased heavy sanctions, cutting off Venezuela’s oil sector.