Maduro says helicopter fired on Venezuela’s Supreme Court

World Today

Masked demonstrators throw bottles at a government vehicle they seized, defaced and then set on fire after a cordon of police keep them from marching to the office of Attorney General Luisa Ortega Diaz to show their support for the one-time government loyalist, in Caracas, Venezuela, Thursday, June 22, 2017. Venezuela’s Supreme Court cleared the way for the prosecution of the country’s chief prosecutor, who became a surprise hero to the opposition after breaking ranks with the government of President Nicolas Maduro over his efforts to concentrate power. (AP Photo/Fernando Llano)

President Nicolas Maduro said a helicopter fired on Venezuela’s Supreme Court in a confusing incident that he claimed was part of a conspiracy to destabilize his socialist government.

The incident occurred as Maduro was speaking live on state television to journalists gathered at the presidential palace. He said the chopper fired upon offices of the court and launched a grenade that didn’t explode. He said air defense was activated, thwarting what he called a “terrorist attack.”

An Associated Press reporter heard gunfire as a helicopter buzzed through downtown but was unable to confirm where the shots were being fired from.

There were unconfirmed witness reports the chopper was carrying an anti-government banner and being flown by a policeman who had declared himself in rebellion in a video on social media.

Story by The Associated Press