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Military Base Attacked in Venezuela as Video Calls for Rebellion - The New York Times

posted onAugust 7, 2017
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Article snippet: BOGOTÁ, Colombia — Armed men in military uniforms and camouflage released a video early Sunday morning calling for Venezuelans to rebel against President Nicolás Maduro after his party established an all-powerful assembly meant to secure its grip over the country. Around the same time, a military base was attacked in the state of Carabobo, near the capital, Caracas, an assault that the government said it had repelled, but not before some of the assailants made off with weapons. “We declare ourselves in legitimate rebellion, united more than ever with the valiant state of Venezuela, to disavow the murderous tyranny of Nicolás Maduro,” a military man in the video said, standing in front of about 20 men. The local news media reported that the spokesman was Capt. Juan Carlos Caguaripano, a dissident National Guard officer wanted by the government since 2014. On July 30, Mr. Maduro held a contentious election to secure control over the country by establishing a new governing body, called the constituent assembly. In the vote, Venezuelans were asked to choose delegates from a list of party allies who would rewrite the Constitution and rule the nation while they did so. Voters were not given the option of rejecting the plan, and opposition parties boycotted the vote. On Sunday, the local news media reported that explosions were heard at the Paramacay military base in the state of Carabobo, an apparent attack by dissident security forces. The government released a video ... Link to the full article to read more

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