Venezuela – The Venezuelan government has said it stopped an attempted sea incursion by ‘terrorist mercenaries’ from Colombia. Interior Minister Nestor Reverol said, in a televised address, the group arrived on speedboats at the coastal state of La Guira early on Sunday.
President Nicolas Maduro often accuses adversaries of trying to overthrow him with the US’s backing. However, Venezuela’s opposition dismissed the allegations, saying the whole incision was staged.
Colombia denied these allegations, saying the government’s assertion was unfounded. Venezuela broke off diplomatic relations with Colombia n 2019.
Mr Reverol said the group had landed in the town of Macuto, which is about 21 miles (34km) north of the capital Caracas, he said in a statement.
“They tried to carry out an invasion by sea, a group of terrorist mercenaries from Colombia, in order to commit terrorist acts in the country, murdering leaders of the revolutionary government,” added Reverol.
