Venezuela nabs officers for alleged role in coup attempt
A group of Venezuelan military officers have been accused of attempting a US-funded coup d’état, officials say.
Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino Lopez announced on Twitter Wednesday that eight officers were detained and convicted for their role in a failed coup attempt.
Detained officers are accused of plotting to blow up the presidential palace and the headquarters of a state television network by a military jet, the defense minister said.
According to reports, the plotters have been sentenced to five to eight years in prison.
Caracas has repeatedly stated that the opposition backed by Washington seeks to launch a coup in Venezuela.
The South American country’s President Nicolas Maduro said last December he had “recordings” that reveal the US was seeking to corrupt Venezuelan government officials.
Washington has admitted that it endorsed a coup that briefly toppled late President Hugo Chavez in 2002.
Caracas and Washington have been at odds since Chavez became Venezuela’s president in 1999. Both sides have refused to exchange ambassadors since 2010. The countries have chargé d’affaires running their respective embassies.
MRA/NN/HMV
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