Venezuelan civilian protests against the government reached a new high, literally, on Tuesday, when a police helicopter dropped grenades on the Supreme Court, largely filled with pro-government judges.
The attack did not go as planned, however, as one of the grenades did not explode, and no one was hurt. The occupants of the stolen helicopter were supposedly headed by an police officer, Oscar Perez, who claimed responsibility for the attack. The attackers held out a banner with the words “Art. 350, Libertad” (350 Freedom) referring to an article in Venezuela’s Constitution about declaration of civil disobedience by citizens. They also fired 15 shots at a reception of the interior ministry.
Rumours are swirling, however, that the attack may not have been a real one, and only a diversion planted by the government to gain some sympathy.
This is the third month of recent protests against Venezuela’s sitting President Nicolas Maduro, whose government demolished the opposition earlier in 2017. The country has been battling severe inflation, which has also triggered protests that security forces responded to with violence, causing civilian deaths and injuries.
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