Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro said that the headquarters of the Supreme Court was fired from a stolen police helicopter, with the assessment that it was a "terrorist attack" aimed at toppling him from power.
The incident occurred while Maduro was speaking live on state television.
He later said that grenades were fired from the helicopter, one of which was not activated. Thanks to this, there were no casualties, and the anti-aircraft defense system was immediately activated.
Images of a blue police helicopter carrying an anti-government banner appeared on social media at the same time as a video in which Oscar Peres, believed to be the police pilot, called for an uprising against Maduro's "tyranny". Authorities said they are still looking for the man.
"We have two choices: tomorrow let our conscience and the people judge us, or today let us start getting rid of this corrupt government," said the man, who was followed by four people dressed in military uniforms, with ski masks and rifles.
Maduro told those gathered in front of the presidential palace that the incident could have caused "a tragedy with several dozen dead and injured."
Minister of Information Ernesto Viljegas read a statement stating that the interior ministry was shot from a helicopter while a reception for 80 people was being held on the occasion of the day of journalists.
The helicopter then fired missiles at a nearby courthouse, where trials were underway.
Court officials confirmed that no one was injured in the attack and that the investigation is ongoing. Since the beginning of April, 75 people have died during demonstrations against President Nicolas Maduro. Thousands of opponents of the Venezuelan government are demanding freedom of expression and the resignation of Maduro ten years after the closure of a famous opposition TV channel. The police have clashed with the demonstrators several times since the beginning of the protest.
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