Venezuela foils plot to assassinate President Maduro

The plot to assassinate President Nicolas Maduro, involving both current and retired military officials, was planned to take place between June 22 and June 23. "We have discovered, dismantled and arrested a fascist terrorist group that was plotting a coup against Venezuelan society and democracy," President Maduro said on television on June 26. "They were arrested and imprisoned with clear evidence." At least six people have been arrested so far, four of whom were arrested on June 21.

The plotters planned to attack three military bases and the headquarters of Venezuela's intelligence agency to rescue General Raul Baduel, a former defense minister who was arrested in 2009 on corruption charges, and then install him as President Maduro's replacement.

Venezuelan Communications Minister Jorge Rodriguez accused Colombian President Ivan Duque of "planning a coup and assassination" of President Maduro, and hinted that Chilean President Sebastian Pinera and US National Security Adviser John Bolton were also involved in the plot. Colombia, Chile and the US have not commented.

Maduro was targeted by an attempted assassination by a drone laden with explosives during a military parade in Caracas in early August. His bodyguards used a special bulletproof shield to shield him from the blast. The Venezuelan leader has repeatedly accused the United States and Colombia of being behind assassination plots against him, but has not provided any concrete evidence.