Unsolved:Caracas drone attack

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Caracas drone attack
Part of the crisis in Venezuela (2012–present)
Top to bottom:
President Maduro being shielded.
Venezuelan troops retreating from the area.
Caracas drone attack is located in Central Caracas
President Maduro
President Maduro
Don Eduardo
Don Eduardo
Caracas drone attack (Central Caracas)
Caracas drone attack is located in Caracas
President Maduro
President Maduro
Don Eduardo
Don Eduardo
Caracas drone attack (Caracas)
Caracas drone attack is located in Venezuela
President Maduro
President Maduro
Don Eduardo
Don Eduardo
Caracas drone attack (Venezuela)
LocationNear Avenida Bolívar, Caracas, Venezuela
Date4 August 2018
5:41 p.m (VST UTC −04:00)
Attack type
Drone attack (alleged)
Weapons2–3 DJI M600 drones
Deaths0
Injured8–9 (7–8 military, 1 civilian)
Accused(see list)
Chargestreason, aggravated murder, attempted magnicide, inciting a riot, launching an explosive, terrorism, violent damage of property, conspiracy to commit a crime, financing terrorism;[1] Requesens' charges[2]

On 4 August 2018, at least two drones detonated explosives near Avenida Bolívar, Caracas, where Nicolás Maduro, the President of Venezuela, was addressing the Bolivarian National Guard in front of the Centro Simón Bolívar Towers and Palacio de Justicia de Caracas.[3][4][5] The Venezuelan government claims the event was a targeted attempt to assassinate Maduro, though the cause and intention of the explosions is debated.[6][7] Others have suggested the incident was a false flag operation designed by the government to justify repression of opposition in Venezuela.[8][9][10]

Incident

Sources reported that drones carrying explosives attempted to attack President Maduro and other government officials. It occurred in the middle of a speech he was giving commemorating the Bolivarian National Guard's 81st anniversary.[11] The first drone hovered over Avenida Bolivar, detonating in the air over National Guardsmen standing in ranks.[12][13] It was reported that seven National Guard officers involved in the parade were injured and treated in hospital, other sources later claim it was eight.[11][14][15][16][17] After the explosion, bodyguards immediately protected Maduro with ballistic shields. Maduro, his wife Cilia Flores, and Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino López, who were standing next to him, left the scene unharmed.[5] A second explosion was then heard seconds later – hundreds of National Guardsmen fled the area, abandoning President Maduro,[18][19] and the broadcast of the event was cut.[5] Despite the images of National Guardsmen fleeing the scene that were broadcast to the public, Minister of Communication Jorge Rodríguez falsely stated that the troops maintained their ranks in the parade.[18]

Another drone seen in the area crashed into the Don Eduardo apartment block, reportedly located two blocks from where Maduro was speaking.[20][21] According to The Guardian , local journalists and residents shared images of smoke appearing from the apartment building's windows shortly after the incident.[22] A woman living in the building said that a drone had crashed into one of the building's windows, injuring a girl who was taken to hospital.[23]

Video footage shows two drones: amateur video of one drone exploding, the video showing few people in the area, and another video recorded by Telemundo cameraman Cesar Saavedra of a drone hitting the Don Eduardo apartment building.[20][24]

Many members of the press were arrested immediately after the incident, preventing independent investigations and reporting.[25] Reporters from VIVOplay and TVVenezuela were detained by National Guardsmen shortly after the incident.[26]

Investigation

Government

Initial

Interior minister Néstor Reverol on 5 August sharing information surrounding the incidents

In a televised address to the nation two hours after the incident, Maduro stated that an investigation had been opened immediately and a number of those connected to the attack had been apprehended and charged.[11] Eleven journalists were detained during the attack and released afterwards.[27] Six other suspects were initially arrested within hours of the incident,[28] which later increased to seven.[29] Reportedly, one of these was known to authorities because of his involvement in the 2014 protests, whilst another had an arrest warrant out for apparently taking part in the assault on Fort Paramacay.[30]

President Maduro also laid blame on extreme right-wing elements in his own country acting together with extreme right-wing elements in neighbouring Colombia, and specifically named Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos as being behind the incident. A spokesperson for President Santos promptly denied the accusations.[4] Maduro also suggested that Venezuelan exiles in the United States, particularly Miami, Florida, may have been involved.[4][21]

According to Interior Minister Néstor Reverol only two DJI M600 drones were used,[31] though Minister of Communication Jorge Rodríguez said that there were three drones used during the incident,[31] and the reason they failed to reach their target was that radio inhibitors made them lose signal.[32] Police at the scene had previously said that authorities shot down a drone.[33] Following a brief initial two-day investigation, Reverol presented its findings and explained that the two drones he claimed were involved were loaded with over 4lb combined of plastic explosive C4 elements, and that one was to be exploded above Maduro's head with the other intended to explode directly in front of the President.[21] In one presentation, Maduro showed debris that he "insisted" revealed the drone by the stage was carrying gunpowder and lead, and only the one that hit the building was loaded with C4 as well as gunpowder.[34]

On 6 August 2018, Prosecutor General of Venezuela, Tarek William Saab, announced that two individuals described to be the alleged pilots were arrested and "will be charged with the crimes of treason and intentional homicide" in addition to other crimes.[35]

Post-arrests

Shortly after midnight VST on the morning of Tuesday, 7 August, Maduro said that he had "hard evidence" of "the Colombian oligarchy" planning the assassination, and that he would share it "in the next few hours".[36][37] Maduro announced in a video at the same time that they now knew that the perpetrators were trained during April and June 2018 in Chinácota in Norte de Santander, Colombia, an area which borders the north of Venezuela.[38][39] In this video he also said that he had been informed that Juan Manuel Santos had told former Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy that Maduro would be gone before he left office.[40] The promised report had not surfaced by the afternoon.

Requesens holding his arm against SEBIN agents during arrest, while the camera is being turned away

In the evening, Maduro gave a two-hour television presentation from Miraflores Palace[41] which included a partially-censored video of former Venezuelan security official Juan Carlos Monasterios Vanegas, who said he was one of the "bombers", giving a statement blaming Julio Borges and Juan Requesens. President Maduro directly accused opposition leaders Borges and Requesens of being behind the incident, also saying that Borges lived in a mansion in Bogotá that the outgoing Colombian government paid for, though no details of his "alleged role" were revealed.[41][42][43][44] During this time, agents belonging to the Bolivarian National Intelligence Service (SEBIN), Venezuela's intelligence agency, arrested Requesens and his sister, student leader Rafaela Requesens, though the latter was later released.[45][46] In the video, Monasterios claimed Requesens told him "to kill the President".[47]

As members of the Venezuelan National Assembly, Borges and Requesens received parliamentary immunity.[48] The arrest of Requesens was described as a violation of the Constitution of Venezuela, specifically Article 200 which states that "only the Supreme Tribunal of Justice, subject to authorization in advance from the National Assembly, shall have the power to order their arrest and prosecution".[48] However, Diosdado Cabello, president of the disparate Constituent National Assembly, said he would "introduce legislation" to strip them of the protections.[41][49] The protected status of the pair was then removed by the next day.[50]

In response to the accusations, Borges tweeted a statement from Bogotá telling Maduro that he was "not fooling anybody", calling the supposed attack a "farce" that Maduro "staged to justify the persecution of opponents".[49] Cabello responded to this, telling him to "go find some good lawyers".[47]

A DJI M600 drone, similar to the drone used during the incident

Maduro's evening presentation claimed that everyone involved in the attack was offered $50 million USD as well as United States citizenship status.[47] He also said that they had planned an attack on 5 July, which was postponed due to the drones not arriving on time.[47] Two of those who were arrested and named by Maduro as being involved and providing evidence were a Colombian, Rayder Russo, who was accused of being a planner and financier of the alleged attack, and an American, Osman Delgado, who was accused of being another financier.[38] Both Russo and Delgado were known by the Venezuelan resistance to be informants loyal to Maduro, with rebel leader Óscar Pérez previously revealing that the two were "moles" selling information to the Bolivarian government in December 2017.[51]

On Wednesday, 8 August, Saab said that investigators had so far connected nineteen people to the attack, and three had already been charged.[47][49] Maduro also named wanted individuals living in Colombia and the US state of Florida, saying he wanted cooperation from these two nations and that he "[trusts] in the good faith of Donald Trump".[41] On Thursday, 9 August, Reverol said that 25 people were under investigation, and Efecto Cocuyo reported that eight had been detained.[52][53] Though Borges and Requesens are leaders of the Justice First party, Reverol revealed that "the majority of the suspects are from the resistance group Come Venezuela" (sic).[54]

Minister of Communication Jorge Rodríguez gave a national presentation on 10 August announcing that at least one of the drones involved was detonated from the United States, though a report by The Independent that was warning of drone threats said this could be done "from 5 kilometres" away only,[55] as well as showing a supposed flight map of the drones path from Colombia all the way to Avenida Bolívar. Rodríguez also said that he had submitted a Red Notice to Interpol for the capture of "assassin" Julio Borges, and showed a video of Juan Requesens recorded in Helicoide.[56]

Raids and seizures

One announcement of alleged perpetrators by Reverol on Thursday, 9 August, included details of several properties that the investigation had seized. They were owned by Delgado, who was accused of helping to finance the attack. Two cars and an apartment in his name were also seized and raided.[52]

The SEBIN searched the Pestana Hotel, which is almost eight kilometers from the place of the incident, during the investigations of the events.[57] Caracas Chronicles reported that the homes of Juan Requesens, Julio Borges and other deputies, Julio Mora and Jorge Mora, had been raided.[58][59]

Rafaela Requesens, Juan's sister and student President of the Central University of Venezuela, expressed her anger that at least forty SEBIN agents broke into their house, also saying that the government wanted to plant false evidence to incriminate her brother. On 7 August, the SEBIN also raided the house of students Valeria Sosa and Luis Alfredo Sosa, from Andrés Bello Catholic University and Simón Bolívar University, respectively, and whose mother is accused of being involved in the drone attack. Roberto Rodríguez, a student leader at Andrés Bello, denounced that the raid was done without a search warrant, that the electricity was cut off from the building, that many belongings in the house were stolen, and that the family were forced to escape.[60]

Requesens videos

External video
Requesens in what appears to be underwear covered in faeces on YouTube

During his August 10 presentation, Rodríguez showed a video of Requesens allegedly admitting to working with people involved in the supposed attack. In the video, Requesens named several of the suspects, including Borges, though this was limited to him saying that Borges “asked [him] for a favour to help a person get from Venezuela to Colombia”. He added that this person was Monasterios and that they had written to Mauricio Jiménez, an immigration official in Colombia, for help with getting passage, who immediately offered it. Requesens gave no details relating to an attack on Maduro.[61] The opposition condemned Rodríguez's actions, saying that Requesens was drugged and tortured into making a false confession. One source from Requesens’ Justice First party assured journalists that the government drugged Requesens to obtain confessions and, when they realised he was still of sound mind, then continued to drug him until he became incontinent, as well as threatening to murder his parents and rape his sister. In a second video, Requesens is wearing only underwear which is visibly stained with faeces.[58][62] Following the release of the videos, Requesens was moved from being held at the prison of SEBIN, El Helicoide, to the Palacio de Justicia.[63] After five hours, he was returned to Helicoide with his hearing deferred and being denied to see his lawyer.[58]

Rodríguez is said to have been the person in charge of "interpreting the 'evidence' [in the video]" and equated Requesens saying he had spoken with Borges with a "confession of complicity". Rodríguez also denounced Borges for giving the orders, putting more blame on him. After asserting that he had evidence of Borges and Juan Manuel Santos meeting on an "infinity" of occasions, Rodríguez said that this "establishes Santos' responsibility".[58]

Health professionals discussed the behavior of Requesens in the videos broadcast to the public. National Assembly deputy and doctor José Manuel Olivares stated that "[t]he clinical signs of Juan Requesens show that there is an alteration of cognitive conditions, which is clinically associated with the administration of drugs that affect the conscience or the will". An independent Venezuelan psychologist, Alberto Barradas, also observed his behavior, stating in a "subjective conclusion" that Requesens appears "drugged, beaten, threatened", later saying "[a]s a Venezuelan, I think we are outraged to see the images of a deputy full of faeces, of excrement, knowing he was tortured. I believe that as Venezuelans we must feel anger, pain and indignation".[64] In a moment of protest and solidarity with Requesens, Venezuelans demonstrated in public while wearing underwear to share moral support for Requesens, who was seen in the government's video wearing underwear covered in faeces.[65]

Though he was originally transferred to the court building on 10 August, Requesens’ hearing was deferred to Monday, August 13.[58][66] This hearing went ahead, lasting two days, and on Tuesday, August 14 he was denied bail.[67] He was remanded in custody after being charged with seven crimes against Maduro and the State, to go on trial and face Venezuela's maximum punishment of 30 years in prison.[2][68][69]

On August 12, the government shared a third video of Requesens. In it was Requesens again speaking to camera, in what they claimed was another part of the "confession" from the first video. Requesens says that he briefly had telephone contact with a man who identified himself as "Alexander", who confirmed that Monasterios had got to Colombia.[70]

However, at his hearing, Requesens told his lawyer, Joel García, that he doesn’t remember recording a confession video or any of the people he named. Requesens also told García that guards gave him the stained underwear to "mock him". None of the videos were submitted as evidence.[71][72][73][74][75]

Further arrests

On 10 August, SEBIN arrested Luis Enrique Martínez Rico, the Coordinator of Security and Defense Commission of the United Socialist Party of Venezuela (PSUV), the government's political party. Reports stated that Martínez was arrested due to his alleged involvement in the incident.[76] Colonel Garcia Palomo said in a 13 August statement delivered to La Patilla that "I have no connection with the events that took place in Caracas on 4 August, through the use of drones or the people who they abused, whom I do not know" (sic).[77]

On August 14, the number of suspects had increased to 34, fourteen of whom had been charged, with Saab saying it could rise further.[78][79] It was also announced that Venezuela were now formally seeking extradition of suspects from Peru,[79] with the government having issued 27 international arrest warrants to Interpol, as well as requesting account blocks and asset freezing for Osman Delgado and Julio Borges.[80] On August 22, the numbers of those implicated by the government rose again, Saab saying that 25 people had been charged with 43 total suspects involved. The previous Sunday he had named several of these extra suspects, and announced that there were now only 18 Interpol alerts out, with nine extradition orders between Colombia, the US, and Peru.[81]

Cabello accused another deputy of the National Assembly, Ismael García, of being involved in the "conspiracy" on August 15.[82] García was a member of Primero Justicia with Borges and Requesens until he ran for candidacy with Acción Democrática on August 10.[83] García had been reportedly "in the sights" of the regime in the days before this, along with José Manuel Olivares (es), who had recently been forced into exile.[84]

Maduro said during one speech that he knew that the attackers "were planning a transitional government" and that current politicians were intended to lead it.[85]

Independent

One early independent investigation by NGO Control Ciudadano alternatively claimed that "at least one drone belonged to the military", and that a drone was "shot", blaming the government but indicating that it would be unintentional.[4]

Some investigative journalism reports began appearing. Citizen journalism organization Bellingcat stated that two drones "likely" armed with explosives were involved and that "[d]espite apparent claims from one group, it is not possible to accurately attribute this apparent attack without further information".[86]

An informal report by a South American political commentator that followed similar analysis to Bellingcat also came to an uncertain conclusion, but rated the Maduro government staging the incident as a "1/3" chance and more likely than a "1/10" assassination attempt, saying that "[f]ar too much doesn't add up", like Maduro "knowing who the culprits [were] immediately" and some of the claims being "clearly made up", comparing these to evidence North Korea gave for imprisoning Otto Warmbier.[87]

Though various bodies and countries asked for an independent investigation to be performed in Venezuela, the practice of censorship in the nation prevented this from happening. One of the leading independent investigatory organisations in Venezuela, Armando.Info, was completely blocked in August 2018, with four of its writers also having travel restrictions imposed, barring them from leaving.[88]

Responsibility claims

Responsibility for the attacks "has been claimed by a confusing array of spokesmen", including groups named "The Resistance", "T-shirt Soldiers" and the "Phoenix Group".[89]

A group named Soldados de Franelas ("T-shirt Soldiers") claimed responsibility for the attack on Twitter.[13][90] Another group, called Operación Fénix ("Operation Phoenix"), made vague claims on Twitter, accusing the Maduro government of being involved in drug trafficking and stating that they sought to restore democracy in Venezuela.[18] Three hours after the attack, Venezuelan journalist Patricia Poleo read a press release on her own YouTube channel from Miami, saying that militants from the Fénix group claimed the attack.[91] Different sources have variously claimed both groups as having connections to the Venezuelan rebel leader Óscar Pérez, who had been killed by Venezuelan government armed forces in the El Junquito raid.[19][22]

Salvatore Lucchese, a former Chief of Police of San Diego Municipality, Carabobo and former member of the Popular Will opposition party, claimed in an interview with Reuters in Bogotá that he largely organized the events, adding that the "armed struggle" would continue and "no dictator leaves power peacefully".[92] On the evening of 7 August, Maduro acknowledged this claim, telling the people in his two-hour national broadcast that "[a] former police boss of the Venezuelan right has been claiming responsibility for leading the attack. Today he was a special guest at the swearing-in of Colombia's incoming president".[93] The day after, Lucchese tweeted that he "didn’t do anything" and was "one more soldier fighting for freedom".[34]

On his Spanish-language talk show, Bayly, Peruvian-American journalist Jaime Bayly claimed that he had known about the attack during the week before and he supported it. He warned that there would be more attacks coming up.[94]

A man who said he was a military dissident said that he had been part of a group of similar dissenters from all branches of the Venezuelan armed forces plotting a coup in Bogotá to overthrow the Maduro government, but had no plans of assassination and were not involved in the attack on August 4, having been infiltrated and disseminated some weeks before. Instead, he says that in April a group of civilians approached his group wanting to join forces and kill Maduro, and he believes they will have performed the attack because of videos they showed of armed drones in Miami. Bloomberg gives credence to this account because of the lack of organisation that the attack appeared to have.[95]

Suspects and arrests

Néstor Reverol shares information on the suspects

Maduro and Reverol, acting as the Ministry of Interior, Justice and Peace, released the names of wanted people that informants named as committing the attack. The full names and photos of these people were released on wanted posters in Venezuela. El Nacional reported fifteen names on the afternoon of Thursday, 9 August. Diario Panorama and other news sources reported the addition of more names before the end of the day, and several more suspects were named and arrests were made in the following week.[44][52][69][80][81][96][97][98][99][100][101]

On August 31, the family of Juan Requesens went to the International Red Cross to give them information about the medical conditions of Requesens. Here, they also spoke to the media there about the other people also incarcerated, who were likely experiencing the same treatment, and noted that several of those prisoners had not even been to court.[102] Requesens' lawyer, Joel García, also mentioned his concern for the other prisoners. The sister of Colonel Zambrano said at this time that her brother had not been seen by family or lawyers, either, and that guards had told her he wouldn't be available for thirty days. She was also concerned for the colonel's health, because his custodians had been requesting antibiotics, serums, and diuretics for him. A lawyer representing several of those accused of the attack said she had not been given access to any of them or their files.[103]

Another Justice First deputy, Fernando Albán, was later arrested on suspicion of plotting the magnicide on Friday, October 5th. He was detained in the SEBIN HQ also, but was reported dead the following Monday, October 8th. The government claims it was suicide, which is disputed by everyone else.[104]

Group "Alfa", operating drone from office 10-B of the Cipreses business center


Group "Bravo", operating drone from the corner of Curamichate and Lecuna


Indirectly responsible (training, financing, planning)


Unknown


Reactions

Domestic

Press release from the Venezuelan Constituent National Assembly

President Maduro described the alleged plot as "just one of the strategies to take on the political power and the economic resources of our country".[105] The Venezuelan government referred to the incident as a "terrorist attack".[106] A press release from the Venezuelan Constituent National Assembly, written by Diosdado Cabello, said that they "fiercely condemn the vile and cowardly attack against the constitutional President of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela" and that the "act of terrorism shows the hopelessness and frustration of the fascist right", also expressing solidarity with "the patriotic soldiers who were injured".[107] The leading opposition group in Venezuela, Frente Amplio Venezuela Libre ("Venezuelan Liberation Front"), expressed confusion as to the nature of the incident, saying that they can't know if it was "an attack, a fortuitous accident, or any of the other stories being shared on social media".[108]

Two days after the explosions, on Monday 6 August, Maduro supporters rallied in downtown Caracas, waving flags and with painted faces. However, Reuters reporters on the scene said that there were only a few hundred people, most of whom were government workers, and with several telling the journalists that they had been instructed to attend to support Maduro's image.[109]

There was immediate outcry among the opposition in the nation after Cabello incited a move to strip supposed plotters and National Assemblymen Julio Borges and Juan Requesens of their diplomatic immunity. The National Assembly Vice President Julio César Reyes (es) spoke out against the move, saying that the "constitution is clear" and "only the Supreme Court of Justice has the authority to order a deputy's arrest, with congressional approval".[49] On 9 August, the National Assembly – Venezuela's parliament – requested that other nations ignore the arrest warrant on Borges, saying that it was "political in nature and should not be recognised by any foreign court".[110]

Chavista politician Sergio Sánchez reported that people voicing anti-Maduro sentiment in the wake of the attack were being punished, citing a family from Ciudad Tiuna (es) in Caracas who were "evicted [...] for making a political comment about the attack against the President", adding that the government now "relies on the fear of the people to maintain power".[111]

Following the release of a video of opposition leader Juan Requesens giving statements wearing underwear stained with faeces, Venezuelans protested in the streets wearing underwear in a statement of moral support for Requesens.[65] A group brought some of Requesens' t-shirts as an offering for his release among other tributes for political prisoners during a mass service held in San Cristóbal, the capital of his home state Táchira.[112] The Bar Association of Venezuela (es) released a statement condemning the arrest and imprisonment of Requesens, saying it was “arbitrary and illegal”, campaigning for the government to release him and naming “numerous and gravely serious objections” to his imprisonment, with the worst being the “obscene, protuberant, impudent and even boastful [...] dissemination of [Requesens’] alleged self-incrimination”, saying that they will seek action against the government and aim to prosecute those at fault “once the Rule of Law has been restored to our beloved Venezuela”.[113] The opposition deputy Gilber Caro stood in front of the National Assembly on August 14 and stripped to his underwear to send support to Requesens. He said that a man's dignity is not dependant on his state of dress.[114]

On the Monday August 13, a protest march called "La Patria Llama" ("The Fatherland Calls") was held starting at the edge of Petare, Miranda and travelled through the Greater Caracas area to Parque Carabobo station (es). It was organised by Cabello for supporters of the Maduro government who want to "bring to justice the extremists", Cabello adding that these people "would have to kill millions of Venezuelans" to change the country.[115]

International

The Union of South American Nations and various Latin American nations – including Bolivia, Cuba, Nicaragua, and El Salvador's Farabundo Martí National Liberation Front (FMLN) – condemned the attack and expressed solidarity,[116][better source needed][117] as did notable Latin American and international personalities including the former Cuban President Raúl Castro, FARC's Rodrigo Londoño, former footballer Diego Maradona, former Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, noted sociologist Atilio Borón, and Evo Morales, who tweeted the statement that "[a]fter the failure in their attempt to overthrow him democratically, economically, politically and militarily, now the empire and its servants threaten his life" about Maduro's opponents.[116][117] Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel further announced that his nation would supply unlimited aid to Venezuela and the Bolivarian Revolution.[118] Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan spoke by phone with Maduro, giving his best wishes to the President and to the soldiers injured in the incident.[119]

Uruguay and Spain both denounced the violence.[120] The Spanish embassy also said that the crisis in Venezuela should be solved peacefully and democratically.[121] Panama's president Juan Carlos Varela stated "that accusing former President Santos is irresponsible of President Maduro" and that "on one hand we condemn violence, but on the other hand we also condemn the fact that they are making baseless accusations against heads of state".[122] Luis Almagro, Secretary General of the Organization of American States, stated that "[t]he null credibility of the Maduro regime prevents knowing the truth of what happened" and reiterated that he "will always condemn the use of violence as a political tool".[123]

A Brazil ian court case was ongoing regarding the travel of Venezuelan migrants across the Brazil-Venezuela border, and it was closed on Sunday 5 August, the day after the attack, with Judge Helder Barreto suspending restrictions but closing the border to Venezuelans until stability was achieved on both sides.[124] It was reopened shortly after the official bar, with the Brazilian Supreme Court saying the move was too reactionary and "not justified", commentators connecting the closure with an already strained situation gaining further "raised tensions" after the drone incident.[125]

The European Union promoted a "thorough and transparent investigation" and demanded the Venezuelan government to recognize "the constitutional powers of the National Assembly, including full respect for its prerogatives with respect to the parliamentary immunity of its members in accordance with the rights, legislation and established constitutional procedures". The Venezuelan government condemned the European Union's response, stating that it is "trapped in its irrational rhetoric" and that the European body intends to "ignore the terrorist actions".[126] Vice President of the Subcommittee on Human Rights of the European Parliament, Beatriz Becerra, condemned the arrest of Juan Requesens, stating "Kidnapped, tortured, humiliated. [Juan Requesens] [a]n elected deputy. With all the constitutional guarantees abolished in Venezuela by a dictatorial regime. Please, Federica Mogherini and Antonio Tajani let's fulfill our commitment with a winner of the Sakharov Prize".[127] The Federal Foreign Office of Germany condemned the arrest of Requesens calling it a "clear violation of parliamentary immunity" and demanded a "thorough and transparent investigation".[128]

Colombia

Juan Manuel Santos (left) in April 2018. At the time of the attack, Santos was the President of Colombia.

The earliest and most prominent of blame accusations were those levelled against Colombia, with Maduro specifically naming the Colombian President Santos as orchestrating his assassination, saying he had "no doubt" about it.[129] The Colombian government quickly denied this, stating that Santos was too preoccupied with his granddaughter's baptism to think about overthrowing Maduro.[4] Another statement added that it is "customary for Maduro to blame Colombia for any kind of problem in his country", and on the following Monday Santos himself tweeted to Maduro telling him "not to worry himself", also restating his own attendance at the "more important" baptism on the Saturday.[130]

Two days after the incident, on Monday, 6 August, the Colombian Civil Aviation Authority announced a ban on drones and multirotors at the Presidential procession for Iván Duque's inauguration the next day over fears of a similar incident, with the prohibition extending to a radius and altitude of 2 nautical miles, or 12,000 feet, from Plaza Bolívar, Bogotá.[131] There were no drone attacks on the day, but it saw other attacks by FARC dissidents in which a police officer died and five people were injured.[132]

Though Venezuelan Foreign Minister Jorge Arreaza had claimed to have a meeting with Colombian representatives to request Borges' extradition and that those he met with had "the interest of cooperating with investigations",[59] by August 10 Colombia still had not received any extradition order for Borges. Colombian Foreign Minister Carlos Holmes Trujillo said if they did receive one, it would "be studied". They didn't respond to Jorge Rodríguez independently demanding extradition of other suspects,[58] and Holmes also pledged "all the support and solidarity" to Borges, as well as condemning the "abuses" towards Borges and Requesens.[59]

United States

US representatives Mike Pompeo and Nikki Haley (left) in June 2018

In response to Maduro's accusations, the US National Security Advisor, John R. Bolton, denied US involvement in the attack and suggested that the incident could be "a pretext set up by the regime itself".[28] Bolton also stated that if the Venezuelan government "has hard information that they want to present to [the US] that would show a potential violation of U.S. criminal law, [they'll] take a serious look at it."[13] On Monday, 6 August, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo restated that the United States government had no involvement.[130]

Telemundo reported that the US embassy told its citizens in Venezuela to "find a safe place to stay, maintain a low profile, and avoid protests".[133] James Story, chargé d'affaires at the US embassy in Caracas, met with Saab and Venezuelan Foreign Minister Jorge Arreaza in the week following the incident.[49] Arreaza told Fox News that Story said it was "the will of the U.S. government to cooperate".[134]

In response to the United States stating it would cooperate, Maduro said he would allow the FBI to investigate the incident, saying that the US government had "offered the cooperation of the FBI" and that if "the United States ratifies its offering for the FBI to cooperate in the investigations on the links in Florida [regarding] the plans of the August 4 assassination attempt and terrorist attack, [he] would accept it".[105]

The United States Ambassador to the UN Nikki Haley was visiting the Colombian-Venezuelan border at Cúcuta on Wednesday, 8 August, to discuss the migrant crisis, and commented that Maduro had caused the attack, that "he did this by creating this chaos" and that "everyone needs to be loud against Maduro and force him to leave".[135][136] She also pledged $9 million USD in aid to Colombia to help support the Venezuelan migrants there.[137]

Others

The Venezuelan-American critic and comedienne Joanna Hausmann, daughter of Venezuelan economist Ricardo Hausmann and vocal detractor of Maduro, shared a comedic response from Los Angeles by tweeting a gif of Jim Halpert from The Office shouting "What is going on!?" with her own attached comment simply saying "Venezuelans right now" shortly after the explosions.[138]

The Venezuelan Václav Havel Prize for Creative Dissent-winning satirical news site El Chigüire Bipolar (es) posted an article the day after the arrest of Juan Requesens showing a photoshopped image of Maduro holding a pokeball with the headline "Nicol-ash Maduro announces open season on capture of political prisoners", likening him to the character Ash from Pokemon who has the mission to "catch them all". The site attributed the fictional quote "We are going to catch them all, the 150 deputies that are out there, we already have Requesens, now we are going after Borges and Meowth of Team Rocket" to "Nicol-ash".[139]

Controversy

Assassination legitimacy

The Guardian reported that the allegations made by Maduro were "too neat" and quoted commentators who doubt the assassination legitimacy. International Crisis Group consultant Phil Gunson stated that "[t]he official 'investigation' [is following course]: begin with the conclusions and work backwards", and senior fellow at the Washington Office on Latin America David Smilde added that "[Maduro will] use it to further restrict liberty and purge the government and armed forces".[22]

Peruvian newspaper La República also wrote that "[s]ome analysts suspect that the attack is a desperate farce" and that "[i]t would not be the first time that an unscrupulous government mounted this type of setup," comparing it to the burning of the Reichstag. The paper concluded that, "genuine attack or mounted farce, basically it does not matter: Maduro has taken things to this point, which suggests bloody outcomes".[10]

The German international news service Deutsche Welle said that the only certainty about the attack is that "[t]he only one benefitting from all this is Maduro himself", noting that the President "has claimed at least 20 coups or attacks against him, but not a single one has done him harm". They called the incident "'fake news'" because "[Maduro's] regime emerges from every actual or supposed attack stronger than before", relating this to the crisis in Venezuela by saying that "[e]ach incident further distracts from increasingly unbearable problems in the country".[140]

The Caracas Chronicles asked of the Minister of Communication's announcements "Why believe Jorge Rodríguez after so many discrepancies found in the statements of other official spokespeople?" and asserted that "[a]n alleged assassination attempt demands an independent and autonomous investigation, without Executive involvement, without this eagerness to make a show".[58]

Firefighter narrative

According to initial reports after the explosion, the Associated Press stated that firefighters attended the scene and claimed that a gas tank located in the Don Eduardo apartment block had exploded during the rally, the explosion caught part of the building on fire and had to be put out.[141] An independent investigation by NGO Control Ciudadano did conclude, in regards to drone explosions, that "[t]he nearby building explosion was coincidental."[4]

Efecto Cocuyo visited the building and reported that all apartments received piped gas, which does not require gas tanks. They could not say if there was also a gas tank.[142][143] Video later provided by Telemundo did indeed appear to show a drone crash into the side of the apartment building.[20] Days after the event, Bellingcat's investigation stated that the report by firefighters was an "early narrative" and that a "second drone crashed and exploded [...] and is the most likely cause of the fire which the Venezuelan firefighters described".[86]

Use of drones

Media outlets in Spain and Ecuador quoted a soldier in the rally who claimed he saw no drones, but heard something "like a grenade". El País says Maduro's version of events is not credible.[144] Former Venezuelan military aide Anthony Daquin talked to NTN24 about the incident and criticised the assassination theory, explaining that the event was a no-fly zone and any drones in the area would have been operated by the government.[33]

Another theory arose of accidental drone failure causing the incident, with The Guardian reporting an independent investigation had been opened by the NGO Control Ciudadano and its head Rocío San Miguel, a military expert, which claimed that "at least one drone belonged to the military, who lost control of the device inflight. Soldiers then shot it down."[4][145] She repeated this statement later in a broadcast of Con La Luz with Efecto Cocuyo on 9 August, saying that "it was a mistake by the military and Presidential Honor Guard, and I believe that they destroyed the drones".[111]

According to former Venezuelan Vice Admiral Mario Carratu, claims that the drones were shot down by gunfire is inaccurate because "[p]lastic explosives can't be detonated with bullets. They more likely exploded prematurely due to poor preparations by the hit team".[89]

One piece of investigative journalism said that drones were involved, but it "[ruled] out the bizarre explosives claim", citing inconsistencies between the injuries of "an otherwise unscathed soldier with a cut on his head" and damage caused by use of C4, which it says would "destroy everything within a football field from the center spot".[87]

The Venezuelan ambassador to Barbados spoke on 7 August, saying that drones are actually completely banned in Venezuela.[146] One of Maduro's television presentations had the President "insist" that the drone that exploded at the stage was loaded with gunpowder and lead, not C4, but the one that hit the building had gunpowder and C4.[34]

See also

  • Caracas helicopter incident
  • Attack on Fort Paramacay
  • Colombia–Venezuela relations
  • 2018 Bulawayo bombing, an assassination attempt of a similar nature that occurred in Zimbabwe a month earlier.
  • Pirate Party Germany, the political party who performed a pseudo drone attack on German Chancellor Angela Merkel at a rally in 2013.

References

  1. ↑ "Los delitos a imputar por atentado contra Maduro" (in Spanish). https://www.venepress.com/JUDICIAL/Los-delitos-a-imputar-por-atentado-contra-Maduro1533572241279. Retrieved 9 August 2018. 
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 "Dos civiles y dos militares son imputados con los mismos delitos que Requesens" (in Spanish). http://efectococuyo.com/sucesos/dos-civiles-y-dos-militares-fueron-imputados-con-mismos-delitos-que-a-requesens/. Retrieved 19 August 2018. 
  3. ↑ "VIDEO: Se registran dos explosiones en pleno discurso de Nicolás Maduro en Venezuela". Actualidad.rt.com. 31 July 2018. https://actualidad.rt.com/actualidad/283932-explosion-maduro-venezuela. Retrieved 5 August 2018. 
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 4.5 4.6 Joe Parkin Daniels (5 August 2018). "Venezuela's Nicolás Maduro survives apparent assassination attempt". The Guardian. https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/aug/04/nicolas-maduros-speech-cut-short-while-soldiers-scatter. Retrieved 5 August 2018. 
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 Martinez, Alexander (5 October 2016). "Maduro says he escaped drone 'assassination' attempt, blames Colombia". Yahoo.com. https://www.yahoo.com/news/maduro-unharmed-drone-attack-explosives-venezuela-government-004133279.html. Retrieved 5 August 2018. 
  6. ↑ Krygier, Rachelle; Faiola, Anthony (4 August 2018). "Maduro speech interrupted by explosions in what Venezuelan government calls a 'failed attack'". The Washington Post. https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/maduro-speech-interrupted-by-explosions-in-what-venezuelan-government-calls-a-failed-attack/2018/08/04/a5c361c6-983c-11e8-80e1-00e80e1fdf43_story.html?utm_term=.5211d3c1b29f. Retrieved 5 August 2018. 
  7. ↑ "Venezuelan President Unharmed After Assassination Attempt By Explosive Drones". Msn.com. 19 April 2017. https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/venezuelan-president-unharmed-after-assassination-attempt-by-explosive-drones/ar-BBLuTGw. Retrieved 5 August 2018. 
  8. ↑ Cohen, Sandra (6 August 2018). "Por que há tanta desconfiança em torno da suposta tentativa de atentado contra Maduro?" (in pt-BR). G1. https://g1.globo.com/mundo/noticia/2018/08/06/por-que-ha-tanta-desconfianca-em-torno-da-suposta-tentativa-de-atentado-contra-maduro.ghtml. 
  9. ↑ "Venezuela, ¿vórtice de inestabilidad en el Caribe?" (in en). El Nuevo Herald. 6 August 2018. https://www.elnuevoherald.com/opinion-es/opin-col-blogs/opinion-sobre-venezuela/article216168435.html. 
  10. ↑ 10.0 10.1 Lauer, Mirko (6 August 2018). "Maduro bajo fuego" (in es). La República. https://larepublica.pe/politica/1292261-maduro-fuego. 
  11. ↑ 11.0 11.1 11.2 Brocchetto, Marilia. "Venezuelan President evacuated from stage after attempted attack". https://edition.cnn.com/2018/08/04/americas/venezuela-maduro/index.html. Retrieved 5 August 2018. 
  12. ↑ "En video: Este sería el video del dron explotando cerca de Maduro" (in es-ES). La Patilla. 5 August 2018. https://www.lapatilla.com/2018/08/05/en-video-este-seria-el-video-del-dron-explotando-cerca-de-maduro/. 
  13. ↑ 13.0 13.1 13.2 Kraul, Chris (5 August 2018). "Venezuela says assassination attempt used drones loaded with 2 pounds of plastic explosives". http://www.latimes.com/world/la-fg-venezuela-drone-attack-20180805-story.html. 
  14. ↑ "Venezuela's Maduro object of 'attack', but fine: official". Reuters. 4 August 2018. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-venezuela-politics/venezuelas-maduro-object-of-attack-but-fine-official-idUSKBN1KP0SA. Retrieved 4 August 2018. 
  15. ↑ "Venezuela President Maduro 'survives drone attack". BBC News. 4 August 2018. https://www.bbc.com/news/world-latin-america-45073385. Retrieved 4 August 2018. 
  16. ↑ Falvey, Dan (4 August 2018). "PANIC in Venezuela as EXPLOSIONS hit during speech by President Maduro". Sunday Express. https://www.express.co.uk/news/world/999021/venezuela-explosion-caracas-Nicolas-Maduro-speech-panic-terror. Retrieved 4 August 2018. 
  17. ↑ "Caracas confirma la detención de seis sospechosos del ataque frustrado contra Maduro" (in Spanish). https://actualidad.rt.com/actualidad/283996-caracas-confirmar-detencion-seis-sospechosos-atentado. Retrieved 7 August 2018. 
  18. ↑ 18.0 18.1 18.2 Casey, Nicholas; Herrero, Ana Vanessa (5 August 2018). "Dos explosiones y una 'cosa voladora': testimonios del presunto ataque contra Nicolás Maduro" (in es). The New York Times. https://www.nytimes.com/es/2018/08/05/ataque-maduro-venezuela-drones/. 
  19. ↑ 19.0 19.1 "2 Blasts, a Stampede and a ‘Flying Thing’: Witnesses Tell of Attack on Maduro". https://www.nytimes.com/2018/08/05/world/americas/venezuela-drone-attack-nicolas-maduro.html. Retrieved 7 August 2018. 
  20. ↑ 20.0 20.1 20.2 "EN VIDEO: Asi reseño Telemundo el "atentado" con drones a Maduro" (in es-ES). La Patilla. 5 August 2018. https://www.lapatilla.com/2018/08/05/en-video-asi-reseno-telemundo-el-atentado-con-drones-a-maduro/. 
  21. ↑ 21.0 21.1 21.2 "Maduro assassination attempt: What happened?". https://eu.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2018/08/06/venezuela-drone-attack-nicolas-maduro-assassination-attempt-what-happened/913096002/. Retrieved 6 August 2018. 
  22. ↑ 22.0 22.1 22.2 "Foreign powers or hoax? Who's behind Venezuela 'drone attack'". https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/aug/05/foreign-powers-rebels-or-a-hoax-whos-behind-venezuela-drone-attack. Retrieved 5 August 2018. 
  23. ↑ "Confusion still abounds about what caused the explosion in Venezuela, but experts warn Maduro will use it as an excuse to consolidate power either way". http://uk.businessinsider.com/venezuela-explosion-what-maduro-will-do-2018-8?r=US&IR=T. Retrieved 6 August 2018. 
  24. ↑ "Difunden videos de supuestos drones con explosivos del atentado contra Maduro" (in Spanish). https://elcomercio.pe/mundo/actualidad/venezuela-difunden-videos-supuestos-drones-explosivos-atentado-nicolas-maduro-noticia-543681. Retrieved 6 August 2018. 
  25. ↑ "Venezuela temporarily blocks critical DW documentary" (in en). 6 August 2018. https://www.dw.com/en/venezuela-temporarily-blocks-critical-dw-documentary/a-44977801. 
  26. ↑ Redacción, Voz de América -. "Maduro denuncia intento de "ataque", culpa a la derecha y a Santos" (in es). Voz de América. https://www.voanoticias.com/a/gobierno-venezuela-ataque-nicolas-maduro/4513956.html. 
  27. ↑ "Denuncian que 11 periodistas fueron detenidos durante atentado contra Maduro". La República. 5 August 2018. https://larepublica.pe/mundo/1292218-venezuela-denuncian-11-periodistas-detenidos-durante-atentado-nicolas-maduro. 
  28. ↑ 28.0 28.1 "Venezuela 'drone attack': Six arrests made". https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-45077057. Retrieved 5 August 2018. 
  29. ↑ "Autores del intento de asesinato contra Maduro serán juzgados severamente" (in Spanish). https://www.telemundo.com/noticias/2018/08/06/autores-del-intento-de-asesinato-contra-maduro-seran-juzgados-severamente. Retrieved 7 August 2018. 
  30. ↑ "Venezuela says it has identified the masterminds behind the alleged drone assassination attempt on President Nicolas Maduro". http://uk.businessinsider.com/venezuela-maduro-drone-assassination-attempt-suspects-2018-8?r=US&IR=T. Retrieved 9 August 2018. 
  31. ↑ 31.0 31.1 "Venezuela says it has ID'd mastermind, accomplices in apparent Maduro assassination try". CNN. 6 August 2018. https://www.cnn.com/2018/08/06/americas/venezuela-maduro-apparent-assassination-attempt/index.html. Retrieved 6 August 2018. 
  32. ↑ "Dron usado en supuesto atentado a Maduro cuesta hasta 8.000 dólares" (in es). Efecto Cocuyo. 5 August 2018. http://efectococuyo.com/principales/dron-usado-en-supuesto-atentado-a-maduro-cuesta-hasta-8-000-dolares/. Retrieved 5 August 2018. 
  33. ↑ 33.0 33.1 "Maduro Venezuela Assassination Investigates Explosions". https://sputniknews.com/latam/201808051066963292-maduro-venezuela-assassination-investigation-explosions/. Retrieved 5 August 2018. 
  34. ↑ 34.0 34.1 34.2 "With Sentence Included". https://www.caracaschronicles.com/2018/08/08/with-sentence-included/. Retrieved 13 August 2018. 
  35. ↑ "Saab sobre atentado contra Maduro: Fueron detenidas las dos personas que operaban los drones" (in es-ES). La Patilla. 6 August 2018. https://www.lapatilla.com/2018/08/06/saab-sobre-atentado-contra-maduro-fueron-detenidas-las-dos-personas-que-operaban-los-drones/. 
  36. ↑ "Maduro to release proof of Colombian role in drone 'attack'". https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2018/08/maduro-release-proof-colombian-role-drone-attack-180807073735553.html. Retrieved 7 August 2018. 
  37. ↑ "Nicolás Maduro on Twitter". https://twitter.com/NicolasMaduro/status/1026677727556972545. Retrieved 7 August 2018. 
  38. ↑ 38.0 38.1 "Dos grupos que participaron en el atentado fueron entrenados entre abril y junio en una finca en Colombia" (in Spanish). https://elpais.com/internacional/2018/08/08/america/1533697726_127591.html. Retrieved 10 August 2018. 
  39. ↑ "Esclarecimiento sobre el magnicidio en grado de frustración" (in Spanish). https://www.facebook.com/MPPRIJP/photos/a.2043668002350724.1073742466.800580543326149/2043668589017332/?type=3&theater. Retrieved 10 August 2018. 
  40. ↑ "Venezuelan President says Colombia is training "terrorist" opposition leaders". http://www.euronews.com/2018/08/08/venezuelan-president-says-colombia-is-training-terrorist-opposition-leaders. Retrieved 12 August 2018. 
  41. ↑ 41.0 41.1 41.2 41.3 "Venezuela's President Accuses Two Opposition Leaders of Links to Assassination Attempt". http://time.com/5360683/venezuela-nicolas-maduro-drone-attack/. Retrieved 8 August 2018. 
  42. ↑ "Nicolás Maduro acusa directamente a Julio Borges y Requesens del "atentado" en su contra (Video)" (in es-ES). La Patilla. 7 August 2018. https://www.lapatilla.com/2018/08/07/nicolas-maduro-acusa-directamente-a-julio-borges-y-requesens-del-atentado-en-su-contra-video/. 
  43. ↑ "Venezuela claims evidence proves Colombia was behind Maduro ‘assassination attempt’". https://colombiareports.com/venezuela-claims-evidence-proves-colombia-was-behind-maduro-assassination-attempt/. Retrieved 8 August 2018. 
  44. ↑ 44.0 44.1 "Infórmate 2.0, edición 9 Agosto 2018" (in Spanish). https://issuu.com/atodavidamij/docs/periodico_digital_9_agosto. Retrieved 10 August 2018. 
  45. ↑ "Dictadura en pleno desarrollo: Así se llevaron a los golpes a los hermanos Requesens" (in es-ES). La Patilla. 7 August 2018. https://www.lapatilla.com/2018/08/07/dictadura-en-pleno-desarrollo-asi-se-llevaron-a-los-golpes-a-los-hermanos-requesens-video/. 
  46. ↑ "Venezuela's President Ties Opposition Leader to Drone Attack" (in en). http://time.com/5360683/venezuela-nicolas-maduro-drone-attack/. 
  47. ↑ 47.0 47.1 47.2 47.3 47.4 "Venezuela's Maduro Says 11 ‘Hired Assassins’ Offered $50 Million". https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2018-08-08/venezuela-s-maduro-says-11-hired-assassins-offered-50-million. Retrieved 9 August 2018. 
  48. ↑ 48.0 48.1 "Violando la Carta Magna, Constituyente cubana allana inmunidad a Requesens y Borges" (in es-ES). La Patilla. 8 August 2018. https://www.lapatilla.com/2018/08/08/violando-la-carta-magna-constituyente-cubana-allana-inmunidad-a-requesens-y-borges/. 
  49. ↑ 49.0 49.1 49.2 49.3 49.4 "Venezuela's Supreme Court Orders Arrest of Opposition Leader in Connection With Maduro Assassination Attempt". http://time.com/5361591/venezuela-supreme-court-arrest-opposition-president-maduro-assassination/. Retrieved 8 August 2018. 
  50. ↑ "Ecuador declares state of emergency over Venezuela migrant influx". https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2018/08/180809102416737.html. Retrieved 10 August 2018. 
  51. ↑ "Rayder Russo y Osman Tabosky fueron señalados por Óscar Pérez como "infiltrados"" (in es-ES). El Pitazo. 7 August 2018. https://elpitazo.com/ultimas-noticias/rayder-russo-y-osman-tabosky-fueron-senalados-por-oscar-perez-como-infiltrados/. 
  52. ↑ 52.0 52.1 52.2 "Néstor Reverol revela nuevos rostros de los implicados en el magnicidio contra el Presidente Maduro" (in Spanish). http://www.noticias24.com/venezuela/noticia/345912/nestor-reverol-revela-nuevos-rostros-de-los-implicados-en-el-magnicidio-contra-el-presidente-maduro/. Retrieved 10 August 2018. 
  53. ↑ "Reverol asegura miembros de Vente Venezuela participaron en atentado contra Maduro" (in Spanish). http://efectococuyo.com/principales/reverol-asegura-que-miembros-de-vente-venezuela-participaron-en-atentado-contra-maduro/. Retrieved 10 August 2018. 
  54. ↑ "Nestor Reverol vinculo resistencia Vente Venezuela con atentado" (in Spanish). http://www.el-nacional.com/noticias/politica/nestor-reverol-vinculo-resistencia-vente-venezuela-con-atentado_247409. Retrieved 10 August 2018. 
  55. ↑ "We should fear the use of killer drones like in Venezuela". https://www.independent.co.uk/voices/killer-drones-venezuela-president-attack-uk-aircraft-warfare-isis-syria-a8487536.html. Retrieved 15 August 2018. 
  56. ↑ "Jorge Rodríguez: uno de los drones fue detonado desde Estados Unidos" (in Spanish). http://www.el-nacional.com/noticias/gobierno/jorge-rodriguez-uno-los-drones-fue-detonado-desde-estados-unidos_247513. Retrieved 11 August 2018. 
  57. ↑ Moreno Losada, Vanessa (6 August 2018). "Desalojado el Hotel Pestana Caracas por procedimiento del Sebin" (in Spanish). Efecto Cocuyo. 
  58. ↑ 58.0 58.1 58.2 58.3 58.4 58.5 58.6 "News Friday August 10". https://www.caracaschronicles.com/2018/08/11/coerced/. Retrieved 13 August 2018. 
  59. ↑ 59.0 59.1 59.2 "Kidnapped by SEBIN". https://www.caracaschronicles.com/2018/08/10/kidnapped-by-sebin/. Retrieved 13 August 2018. 
  60. ↑ León, Ibis (10 August 2018). "Diputados y estudiantes entregan documento ante la OEA y exigen libertad de Juan Requesens" (in Spanish). Efecto Cocuyo. http://efectococuyo.com/politica/diputados-y-estudiantes-entregan-documento-ante-la-oea-y-exigen-libertad-de-juan-requesens/. Retrieved 15 August 2018. 
  61. ↑ "Jorge Rodríguez publico video con declaraciones Requesens" (in Spanish). http://www.el-nacional.com/noticias/politica/jorge-rodriguez-publico-video-con-declaraciones-requesens_247518. Retrieved 11 August 2018. 
  62. ↑ "Juan Requesens fue drogado para obligarlo declarar video" (in Spanish). http://www.el-nacional.com/noticias/politica/juan-requesens-fue-drogado-para-obligarlo-declarar-video_247537. Retrieved 11 August 2018. 
  63. ↑ "Requesens trasladado desde Helicoide a Palacio de Justicia" (in Spanish). http://www.el-nacional.com/noticias/politica/requesens-trasladado-desde-helicoide-palacio-justicia_247530. Retrieved 11 August 2018. 
  64. ↑ "Expertos coinciden en que Requesens pudo haber sido dopado" (in es). NTN24. 10 August 2018. http://www.ntn24america.com/america-latina/venezuela/expertos-coinciden-en-que-requesens-pudo-haber-sido-dopado-95362. 
  65. ↑ 65.0 65.1 "Estudiantes en ropa interior se solidarizan con Juan Requesens (fotos y video)" (in es-ES). La Patilla. 11 August 2018. https://www.lapatilla.com/2018/08/11/estudiantes-en-ropa-interior-se-solidarizan-con-juan-requesens-fotos-y-video/. 
  66. ↑ "Audiencia de Requesens fue diferida para el dia lunes" (in Spanish). http://www.eluniversal.com/politica/17461/audiencia-de-requesens-fue-diferida-para-el-dia-lunes. Retrieved 11 August 2018. 
  67. ↑ "La hermana de Juan Requesens tilda de secuestro la detención de su hermano" (in Spanish). https://cnnespanol.cnn.com/video/venezuela-atentado-nicolas-maduro-detencion-requenses-justicia-osmary-hernandez-intv-conclusiones/. Retrieved 15 August 2018. 
  68. ↑ "Prisión preventiva para el opositor venezolano Juan Requesens por presunta participación en supuesto atentado contra Maduro" (in Spanish). https://cnnespanol.cnn.com/video/venezuela-prision-preventiva-juan-requesens-acusacion-participacion-supuesto-atentado-maduro-pkg-osmary-hernandez/. Retrieved 15 August 2018. 
  69. ↑ 69.0 69.1 "Fiscalía imputa ocho delitos al diputado Juan Requesens en audiencia de presentación" (in Spanish). http://efectococuyo.com/principales/fiscalia-imputa-ocho-delitos-al-diputado-juan-requesens-en-audiencia-de-presentacion/. Retrieved 15 August 2018. 
  70. ↑ "Gobierno muestra nuevo video "chucuto" del interrogario a Juan Requesens" (in Spanish). http://www.venezuelaaldia.com/2018/08/11/gobierno-muestra-nuevo-video-chucuto-del-interrogario-juan-requesens/. Retrieved 15 August 2018. 
  71. ↑ "Diputado Juan Requesens no recuerda "confesión" por atentado a Maduro" (in Spanish). https://elcomercio.pe/mundo/latinoamerica/venezuela-diputado-juan-requesens-recuerda-confesion-atentado-nicolas-maduro-noticia-547268. Retrieved 16 August 2018. 
  72. ↑ "Requesens no recuerda haber grabado video de ‘confesión’ sobre el atentado a Maduro, según su abogado" (in Spanish). https://www.elnuevoherald.com/noticias/mundo/america-latina/venezuela-es/article216779395.html. Retrieved 16 August 2018. 
  73. ↑ "Delsa Solórzano: "Juan Requesens no recuerda haber grabado ese video"" (in Spanish). http://www.el-nacional.com/videos/nacional--canales/delsa-solorzano-juan-requesens-recuerda-haber-grabado-ese-video_96016. Retrieved 16 August 2018. 
  74. ↑ "Venezuela juzgará sin la prueba más importante al opositor acusado de atentar contra Maduro" (in Spanish). https://elpais.com/internacional/2018/08/16/america/1534378432_946971.html. Retrieved 16 August 2018. 
  75. ↑ "Siete irregularidades en detención y audiencia del diputado Juan Requesens" (in Spanish). http://efectococuyo.com/sucesos/siete-irregularidades-en-detencion-y-audiencia-del-diputado-juan-requesens/. Retrieved 16 August 2018. 
  76. ↑ "Detienen a dirigente del Psuv por su presunta vinculación con "atentado" a Maduro" (in es-ES). La Patilla. 13 August 2018. https://www.lapatilla.com/2018/08/13/detienen-a-dirigente-del-psuv-por-su-presunta-vinculacion-con-atentado-a-maduro/. 
  77. ↑ "Coronel García Palomo desmiente participación en los sucesos de la Avenida Bolívar" (in es-ES). La Patilla. 12 August 2018. https://www.lapatilla.com/2018/08/12/coronel-garcia-palomo-desmiente-participacion-en-los-sucesos-de-la-avenida-bolivar/. 
  78. ↑ "Uno de los abogados de Juan Requesens habla con CNN" (in Spanish). https://cnnespanol.cnn.com/video/venezuela-atentado-requenses-juicio-abogado-osmary-intv-conclusiones/. Retrieved 15 August 2018. 
  79. ↑ 79.0 79.1 "Official: Venezuelan general arrested in assassination plot". https://www.ctvnews.ca/world/official-venezuelan-general-arrested-in-assassination-plot-1.4052580. Retrieved 15 August 2018. 
  80. ↑ 80.0 80.1 "Saab anuncia privación de libertad de Requesens antes de pronunciamiento del juez" (in Spanish). http://efectococuyo.com/sucesos/saab-anuncia-privacion-de-libertad-de-requesens-antes-de-pronunciamiento-del-juez/. Retrieved 15 August 2018. 
  81. ↑ 81.0 81.1 "Venezuela processa 25 pessoas por atentado a Maduro" (in Portuguese). http://agenciabrasil.ebc.com.br/internacional/noticia/2018-08/venezuela-processa-25-pessoas-por-atentado-maduro. Retrieved 22 August 2018. 
  82. ↑ "Diosdado Cabello acusa a Ismael García de estar implicado en atentado fallido contra Maduro" (in Spanish). http://efectococuyo.com/politica/diosdado-cabello-acusa-a-ismael-garcia-de-estar-implicado-en-atentado-fallido-contra-maduro/. Retrieved 19 August 2018. 
  83. ↑ "Ismael García dejó Primero Justicia para poder participar en regionales" (in Spanish). http://www.el-nacional.com/noticias/oposicion/ismael-garcia-dejo-primero-justicia-para-poder-participar-regionales_198088. Retrieved 19 August 2018. 
  84. ↑ "Venezuela acosada por la persecución política" (in Spanish). https://www.ellitoral.com.ar/corrientes/2018-8-11-4-0-0-venezuela-acosada-por-la-persecucion-politica. Retrieved 19 August 2018. 
  85. ↑ "Venezuela: Nous ne reculerons pas devant le terrorisme et devant l'oligarchie colombienne" (in French Caribbean Creole). http://www.caraibcreolenews.com/index.php/caraibes/venezuela/item/14283-venezuela-nous-ne-reculerons-pas-devant-le-terrorisme-et-devant-l-oligarchie-colombienne. Retrieved 24 August 2018. 
  86. ↑ 86.0 86.1 Waters, Nick (7 August 2018). "Did Drones Attack Maduro in Caracas?" (in en-US). Bellingcat. https://www.bellingcat.com/news/americas/2018/08/07/drones-attack-maduro-caracas/. 
  87. ↑ 87.0 87.1 ""So, did someone try to kill Nicolás Maduro?" Only God and Maduro know.". Archived on 9 August 2018. Error: If you specify |archivedate=, you must also specify |archiveurl=. https://www.tremr.com/hannah-louise-mickleburgh/so-did-someone-try-to-kill-nicolas-maduro. Retrieved 9 August 2018. 
  88. ↑ "Double Attack Against Armando.Info". https://www.caracaschronicles.com/2018/08/21/double-attack-against-armando-info/. Retrieved 26 August 2018. 
  89. ↑ 89.0 89.1 "Venezuelan Expert: Maduro Vulnerable to New Attacks" (in en). Voice of America. https://www.voanews.com/a/venezuelan-expert-maduro-vulnerable-to-new-attacks/4523425.html. 
  90. ↑ Herreria, Carla (4 August 2018). "Venezuelan President Blames Alleged Assassination Attempt On Colombian President". https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/venezuelan-president-explosive-drone-attack_us_5b663711e4b0de86f4a21721. Retrieved 6 August 2018. 
  91. ↑ Joseph Romeo (7 August 2018). ""Operación Fénix" Claims Responsibility for the Venezuelan Drone Attack – Read the Full Statement". Via News Agency. https://via.news/south-america/operacion-fenix-claims-responsibility-venezuela-drone-attack/. Retrieved 7 August 2018. 
  92. ↑ Brian Ellsworth, Carlos Vargas (7 August 2018). "Ex-city police chief claims role in Venezuela drone attack". Reuters. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-venezuela-politics-resistance/ex-city-police-chief-claims-role-in-venezuela-drone-attack-idUSKBN1KS2CR. Retrieved 8 August 2018. 
  93. ↑ "Former city police chief claims role in Venezuela drone attack". http://www.nationnews.com/nationnews/news/183906/city-police-chief-claims-role-venezuela-drone-attack. Retrieved 8 August 2018. 
  94. ↑ "Jaime Bayly asegura que sabía todo sobre supuesto atentado a Maduro" (in es). NTN24. 7 August 2018. http://www.ntn24.com/america-latina/venezuela/jaime-bayly-asegura-que-sabia-todo-sobre-supuesto-atentado-maduro-95078. Retrieved 8 August 2018. 
  95. ↑ "Inside the Coup Plotting Before the Venezuela Drone Assassination Attempt". https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2018-08-17/two-coup-plotting-groups-met-weeks-before-venezuela-drone-attack. Retrieved 17 August 2018. 
  96. ↑ "Maduro anunció nombres de implicados en presunto magnicidio" (in Spanish). http://www.el-nacional.com/noticias/politica/maduro-anuncio-nombres-implicados-presunto-magnicidio_247148. Retrieved 9 August 2018. 
  97. ↑ "El Nacional on Twitter" (in Spanish). https://twitter.com/ElNacionalWeb/status/1027581895146659841. Retrieved 9 August 2018. 
  98. ↑ "Emiten orden de captura contra siete implicados en magnicidio frustrado contra Maduro" (in Spanish). https://www.panorama.com.ve/sucesos/Emiten-orden-de-captura-contra-siete-implicados-en-magnicidio-frustrado-contra-Maduro-20180809-0034.html. Retrieved 10 August 2018. 
  99. ↑ "Un general venezolano detenido por atentado contra Maduro" (in Spanish). https://www.panorama.com.ve/politicayeconomia/Un-general-venezolano-detenido-por-atentado-contra-Maduro--20180814-0057.html. Retrieved 15 August 2018. 
  100. ↑ "Quién es quién en el atentado fallido, según la versión del Gobierno nacional" (in Spanish). http://efectococuyo.com/principales/quien-es-quien-en-el-atentado-fallido-segun-la-version-del-gobierno-nacional/. Retrieved 15 August 2018. 
  101. ↑ "Venezuela implica a tercer alto oficial en ataque a Maduro" (in Spanish). https://www.americateve.com/venezuela-implica-tercer-alto-oficial-ataque-maduro-n1000669?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=facebook. Retrieved 23 August 2018. 
  102. ↑ "Familiares de Juan Requesens entregaron documento ante la Cruz Roja Internacional" (in Spanish). https://elpitazo.com/ultimas-noticias/video-familiares-de-juan-requesens-entregaron-documento-ante-la-cruz-roja-internacional/. Retrieved 1 September 2018. 
  103. ↑ "Detenidos por atentado fallido contra Maduro no recibirán visitas por 30 días" (in Spanish). http://efectococuyo.com/sucesos/detenidos-por-atentado-fallido-contra-maduro-no-recibiran-visitas-por-30-dias/. Retrieved 1 September 2018. 
  104. ↑ Caracas, Associated Press in (2018-10-09). "Fernando Albán: UN to investigate death in custody of Venezuelan politician" (in en). http://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/oct/09/fernando-alban-death-venezuela-opposition-politician-custody. 
  105. ↑ 105.0 105.1 "Venezuela: Maduro 'Will Let FBI Investigate Murder Attempt'". https://www.telesurtv.net/english/news/Maduro-Willing-to-Let-FBI-Aid-in-Murder-Attempt-Investigation-20180811-0013.html. Retrieved 12 August 2018. 
  106. ↑ "Venezuela's Maduro target of drone 'attack,' but unharmed: government". The Hindu. 5 August 2018. https://www.thehindu.com/news/international/venezuelas-maduro-target-of-drone-attack-but-unharmed-government/article24607140.ece. Retrieved 5 August 2018. 
  107. ↑ "Comunicado de la ANCV ante el atentado de Caracas de 2018" (in Spanish). https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Dj2G96wX0AAPmKw.jpg. Retrieved 6 August 2018. 
  108. ↑ "El Movimiento Nacional Soldados de Franelas se adjudica atentado contra Maduro" (in Spanish). https://laopinion.com/2018/08/05/venezuela-lo-que-se-sabe-del-atentado-en-contra-del-presidente-de-nicolas-maduro-y-del-grupo-que-se-lo-atribuyo/. Retrieved 7 August 2018. 
  109. ↑ "Venezuela's Maduro rallies supporters after drone blasts". https://www.reuters.com/article/us-venezuela-politics/venezuelas-maduro-rallies-supporters-after-drone-blasts-idUSKBN1KR1SM. Retrieved 6 August 2018. 
  110. ↑ "AN pide desconocer orden de captura contra Borges" (in Spanish). https://www.panorama.com.ve/politicayeconomia/AN-pide-desconocer-orden-de-captura-contra-Borges--20180809-0080.html. Retrieved 10 August 2018. 
  111. ↑ 111.0 111.1 "¿Atentado o error?, las hipótesis del ataque a Maduro, según Rocío San Miguel y Sergio Sánchez" (in Spanish). http://efectococuyo.com/principales/atentado-o-error-las-hipotesis-del-ataque-a-maduro-segun-rocio-san-miguel-y-sergio-sanchez/. Retrieved 10 August 2018. 
  112. ↑ "TV Venezuela on Twitter" (in Spanish). https://mobile.twitter.com/TVVnoticias/status/1028693317469528065. Retrieved 13 August 2018. 
  113. ↑ "Comunicado del Colegio de Abogados de Caracas por la detención del diputado Juan Requesens" (in Spanish). https://www.lapatilla.com/2018/08/11/comunicado-del-colegio-de-abogados-de-caracas-por-la-detencion-del-diputado-juan-requesens/. Retrieved 11 August 2018. 
  114. ↑ "Venezuela: Diputado opositor Gilber Caro se desnudó en Asamblea Nacional" (in Spanish). https://elcomercio.pe/mundo/actualidad/venezuela-diputado-opositor-gilber-caro-desnudo-asamblea-nacional-noticia-546669. Retrieved 15 August 2018. 
  115. ↑ "Cabello desmintió que Juan Requesens haya sido agredido" (in Spanish). http://www.eluniversal.com/politica/17655/cabello-desmintio-acusaciones-de-agresiones-contra-juan-requesens. Retrieved 15 August 2018. 
  116. ↑ 116.0 116.1 "World Extends Solidarity To Venezuela's Maduro After Attack | News | teleSUR English". Telesurtv.net. 18 July 2017. https://www.telesurtv.net/english/news/World-Extends-Solidarity-To-Venezuelas-Maduro-After-Attack-20180804-0015.html. Retrieved 5 August 2018. 
  117. ↑ 117.0 117.1 "Venezuelan President Maduro blames US backers and Colombia after drone attack". News.sky.com. 1 January 1970. https://news.sky.com/story/caracas-drone-explosion-attack-on-venezuela-president-maduro-government-11461738. Retrieved 5 August 2018. 
  118. ↑ "Cuba Expresa Plena Solidaridad Y Apoyo Irrestricto Al Presidente Maduro Y A La Revolucion Bolivariana Y Chavista | Cubaminrex" (in es). Minrex.gob.cu. http://www.minrex.gob.cu/es/cuba-expresa-plena-solidaridad-y-apoyo-irrestricto-al-presidente-maduro-y-la-revolucion-bolivariana. Retrieved 5 August 2018. 
  119. ↑ "Erdogan backs ally Maduro after 'assassination bid'". https://au.news.yahoo.com/erdogan-backs-ally-maduro-assassination-bid-214902634--spt.html. Retrieved 7 August 2018. 
  120. ↑ "Hechos de Violencia in Venezuela" (in Spanish). http://www.mrree.gub.uy/frontend/page?1,inicio,ampliacion-ppal2,O,es,0,PAG;CONC;1961;15;D;hechos-de-violencia-en-venezuela;1;PAG;. Retrieved 6 August 2018. 
  121. ↑ "Comunicado 103: Venezuela" (in Spanish). 5 August 2018. http://www.exteriores.gob.es/Portal/es/SalaDePrensa/Comunicados/Paginas/2018_COMUNICADOS/20180805_COMU103.aspx. Retrieved 10 August 2018. 
  122. ↑ "Panamá califica de irresponsables las acusaciones de Maduro contra Santos" (in es-ES). La Patilla. 9 August 2018. https://www.lapatilla.com/2018/08/09/panama-califica-de-irresponsables-las-acusaciones-de-maduro-contra-santos/. 
  123. ↑ "Luis Almagro duda de la versión oficial del atentado contra Nicolás Maduro" (in es-ES). La Patilla. 6 August 2018. https://www.lapatilla.com/2018/08/06/luis-almagro-duda-de-la-version-oficial-del-atentado-contra-nicolas-maduro/. 
  124. ↑ "Brazil: judge shuts border to Venezuelan migrants fleeing hunger and hardship". https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/aug/06/brazil-shuts-border-venezuelan-migrants. Retrieved 7 August 2018. 
  125. ↑ "Venezuela crisis: Brazil briefly shuts border to migrants". https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-45093581. Retrieved 7 August 2018. 
  126. ↑ "Gobierno bolivariano tilda de injerencia reacción de UE por atentado a Maduro" (in es-ES). La Patilla. 10 August 2018. https://www.lapatilla.com/2018/08/10/gobierno-bolivariano-tilda-de-injerencia-reaccion-de-ue-por-atentado-a-maduro/. 
  127. ↑ "Beatriz Becerra pidió a Parlamento Europeo atender caso de Juan Requesens" (in es). El Nacional. 10 August 2018. http://www.el-nacional.com/noticias/politica/beatriz-becerra-pidio-parlamento-europeo-atender-caso-juan-requesens_247588. 
  128. ↑ "Alemania repudia detención de diputado Requesens y pide el correcto esclarecimiento del ataque contra Maduro" (in es-ES). La Patilla. 13 August 2018. https://www.lapatilla.com/2018/08/13/alemania-repudia-detencion-de-diputado-requesens-y-pide-el-correcto-esclarecimiento-del-ataque-contra-maduro/. 
  129. ↑ "Is Venezuela threat to the US and Colombia a serious one?". https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/opinion/is-venezuela-threat-to-the-us-and-colombia-a-serious-one. Retrieved 8 August 2018. 
  130. ↑ 130.0 130.1 "Venezuela says it has ID'd mastermind, accomplices in apparent Maduro assassination try". https://edition.cnn.com/2018/08/06/americas/venezuela-maduro-apparent-assassination-attempt/index.html. Retrieved 7 August 2018. 
  131. ↑ "Prohíben drones durante acto de posesión de Duque en Colombia" (in Spanish). http://www.t13.cl/noticia/mundo/prohiben-drones-acto-posesion-duque-colombia. Retrieved 7 August 2018. 
  132. ↑ "Un policía muerto y cinco heridos en un triple ataque de disidentes de las FARC" (in Spanish). https://www.elespanol.com/mundo/20180807/policia-muerto-heridos-triple-ataque-disidentes-farc/328467817_0.html. Retrieved 9 August 2018. 
  133. ↑ "Embajada de EEUU en Caracas emite alerta de seguridad" (in Spanish). https://www.telemundo.com/noticias/2018/08/05/embajada-de-eeuu-en-caracas-emite-alerta-de-seguridad. Retrieved 7 August 2018. 
  134. ↑ "Venezuela seeks US extradition of alleged drone attack mastermind". http://www.foxnews.com/world/2018/08/09/venezuela-seek-us-extradition-alleged-drone-attack-mastermind.html. Retrieved 10 August 2018. 
  135. ↑ "Venezuela: Maduro critic rejects 'absurd' claim he plotted to kill president". https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/aug/09/venezuela-maduro-opposition-assassination-claim. Retrieved 10 August 2018. 
  136. ↑ "Nikki Haley blames Venezuelan crisis on leftist president: 'It's time for Maduro to go'". http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2018/08/09/nikki-haley-blames-venezuelan-crisis-on-leftist-president-its-time-for-maduro-to-go.html. Retrieved 10 August 2018. 
  137. ↑ "Haley pledges 9 million to Colombia Venezuelan migrants". https://www.mcclatchydc.com/news/nation-world/world/article216251375.html. Retrieved 8 August 2018. 
  138. ↑ "Joanna Hausmann on Twitter". https://twitter.com/Joannahausmann/status/1025870898056843265. Retrieved 10 August 2018. 
  139. ↑ "Nicol-ash empieza su temporada de captura de presos políticos" (in Spanish). https://www.elchiguirebipolar.net/08-08-2018/nicol-ash-empieza-su-temporada-de-captura-de-presos-politicos/. Retrieved 12 August 2018. 
  140. ↑ "Venezuela on the verge of imploding". https://www.dw.com/en/opinion-venezuela-on-the-verge-of-imploding/a-44960051. Retrieved 6 August 2018. 
  141. ↑ "The Latest: Expert says Maduro may use attack for purge". https://www.apnews.com/db760dac560840309cd320648ba12c9a/The-Latest:-Venezuelan-firefighters-dispute-official-version. Retrieved 6 August 2018. 
  142. ↑ "Un dron, una bombona, una onda expansiva: Lo que se conoce sobre el atentado fallido del #4Ago" (in es). Efecto Cocuyo. 5 August 2018. http://efectococuyo.com/principales/un-dron-una-bombona-una-ola-expansiva-lo-que-se-conoce-sobre-el-atentado-fallido-del-4ago/. Retrieved 5 August 2018. 
  143. ↑ Moran, Rick (5 August 2018). "Was the Maduro Assassination Attempt a 'False Flag' Operation?". https://pjmedia.com/trending/was-the-maduro-assassination-attempt-a-false-flag-operation/. 
  144. ↑ "Surgen dudas supuesto atentado contra Maduro" (in Spanish). https://www.larepublica.ec/blog/internacional/2018/08/04/surgen-dudas-supuesto-atentado-contra-maduro/. Retrieved 5 August 2018. 
  145. ↑ "Control Ciudadano – ¿Quienes somos?" (in Spanish). https://www.controlciudadano.org/quienes-somos. Retrieved 9 August 2018. 
  146. ↑ "Caracas warns Barbados against lifting ban on drones". https://barbadostoday.bb/2018/08/07/caracas-warns-barbados-against-lifting-ban-on-drones/. Retrieved 11 August 2018. 




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