Venezuela: Police arrest six in connection to Caracas attack August 5 /update 2

Event

Authorities announced on Sunday, August 5, that six people have been detained in connection to the alleged assassination attempt on President Nicolás Maduro. According to Interior Minister Nestor Luis Reverol, further arrests are possible in the coming days. Reverol said that two drones carrying 1 kg (2 lb) of explosives were flown towards President Maduro while he was giving a live address to commemorate the 81st anniversary of the Venezuelan National Guard on Saturday, August 4. Security officials said one drone was intercepted electronically and the other crashed into a nearby apartment building. An investigation into the incident is ongoing and heightened security measures are expected in Caracas in the coming days.

As of August 5, it is unclear who is responsible for the alleged assassination attempt. Following the incident, President Maduro blamed the Colombian government and unidentified financiers in the US for the attack. However, Maduro did not produce any proof for his allegations. A relatively unknown group called Soldiers in T-Shirts released a statement on social media claiming responsibility for the bombing, but refused to respond to questions from the media.

Context

Tensions have been high in Venezuela in recent months. The country witnessed an uptick in anti-government demonstrations in June following the reelection of President Maduro in May. Among the areas most affected by the ongoing protests have been Caracas and the states of Lara, Anzoátegui, Mérida, and Bolívar, which have endured a shortage of basic goods, inflation, and disease epidemics.

In the first half of 2017, Venezuela was shaken by four months of violent anti-government protests, provoked by ongoing political, economic, social, and health crises. Significant unrest also broke out in 2014 following the last presidential election and again in early 2016. Hundreds of people have been killed during protests, many by security forces who have repeatedly been accused of excessive use of force, with thousands more injured and arrested. The potential for further large-scale demonstrations and associated violence persists.

Advice

Individuals in Caracas are advised to remain vigilant and remain up to date on current sociopolitical developments.