Helicopter flies against Maduro, heightening tensions in Venezuela
Source: Washington Post
CARACAS — A Venezuelan police pilot apparently commandeered a helicopter Tuesday and flew it over the Supreme Court building carrying a sign that read “Freedom,” a public show of dissent against the embattled government that prompted security forces to seal off government facilities and heightened fears of further unrest.
During a chaotic afternoon in the capital, pro-government protesters also surrounded the National Assembly building, forcing legislators to remain inside, and tanks were spotted driving around the palace of President Nicolás Maduro.
After three months of near daily protest, Venezuela is on a hair trigger. The news of the dissident pilot and the mobilization of security forces prompted coup rumors to race through Venezuelan social networks. By Tuesday evening, however, it appeared that Maduro’s government remained in control.
In the late afternoon, Caracas residents saw a blue helicopter from the police investigations unit, the CICPC, circling the capital, carrying a banner that read “Libertad” and the number “350,” a reference to the article in the Venezuelan constitution that allows people to “disown” their government if it acts in an undemocratic way.
Read more: https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/helicopter-flies-against-maduro-heightening-tensions-in-venezuela/2017/06/27/4c85179e-37fa-43db-8c9f-b8380034000a_story.html?utm_term=.c71433d9290c
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