CARACAS, March 27. /TASS/. Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro accused the Vente Venezuela opposition movement of two attempts on his life, which were thwarted within just about two weeks.
"Two groups were apprehended in the past 15 days, one in Maturin and the other - in Caracas. They were plotting to assassinate me, and admitted to this. They are linked to the Vente Venezuela terrorist group," Maduro told Venezolana de Television.
He said that on Monday, a group of gunmen was "exposed by the people, who grew suspicious because of their strange behavior and nervousness." They were making photographs and phone calls near a stage, where Maduro was scheduled to deliver a speech later in the day.
In his words, masterminds of similar attacks "are looking for mentally unhealthy people, not only here but in other places as well, where the imperialistic forces are plotting their acts of terror."
He called upon the nation and the country’s armed forces to increase their vigilance.
Venezuelan Attorney Genetal Tarek William Saab revealed details of Monday's attempt to assassinate President Nicolas Maduro at a news conference on Monday, saying that gunmen were apprehended just 20 meters away from a stage, where the president was expected to address the crowd. During questioning, they admitted to being political activists from the Vente Venezuela organization.
On March 11, two people were detained in the city of Maturin for publishing threats and calls to kill Maduro. Later, the president said law enforcers arrested a terrorist, who conspired with a National Guard deserter, who was plotting Maduro’s assassination with a group of armed motorcyclists.