Venezuela's President survives drone attack

By James Blears

President Nicolas Maduro was giving a speech to commemorate the eighty first anniversary of the National Guard, when the incident happened.  Several loud explosions were heard. 

His wife Cilia Flores, who was standing side by side with him flinched, and both of them looked skywards.  They exited, shielded by black bullet proof screens.

State television shows neat files of soldiers breaking ranks and scattering.  Smoke could be seen wafting from  a nearby building.  Fire fighters claim there was a gas explosion from a leak in that complex. But minutes later in a live broadcast Information Minister Jorge Rodriguez said: "This clearly shows the explosions came from drone like devices that carried explosives."

A hitherto unknown group calling itself "Soldiers in T shirts," claimed responsibility in a tweet stating the drones had been shot down by Government troops.  It also threatened: "We showed they`re vulnerable. It was not successful today, but it`s just a matter of time."

Earlier this year, President Nicolas Maduro won a second six year term. The Opposition boycotted that Election.  He still has the support of the Country`s Armed Forces.