Mob Storms Venezuela’s National Assembly, Beating Maduro Opponents
The officer, Óscar Pérez, said in a video posted online
that his helicopter attack on June 27 was a success, inflicting structural damage on the Supreme Court and Interior Ministry buildings in Caracas, the capital, without leaving any "collateral damage." "We are not assassins, like you, Nicolás Maduro," Mr. Pérez said, pointing his finger at the camera.
Earlier on Wednesday, a Venezuelan police officer who staged a brazen attack from a commandeered government helicopter
last week warned of a "new phase" in a would-be insurrection against the government of Mr. Maduro.
" Opposition lawmakers said the attack was carried out by so-called colectivos, bands of armed men in plainclothes who take their cues from the government of President Nicolás Maduro to thwart demonstrations
and intimidate dissidents. that Even if it costs us our lives.
By ERNESTO LONDOÑOJULY 5, 2017
A mob stormed Venezuela’s opposition-dominated National Assembly on Wednesday with the apparent acquiescence of government troops
and carried out a startling attack on lawmakers and journalists.
In recent days, a rift has widened between Mr. Maduro
and his attorney general, Luisa Ortega, who sharpened her criticism of the president’s plan to let a constituent assembly of handpicked loyalists to write a new Constitution.