According to intelligence director General Gustavo González López, 18 people (military and civilians) have been arrested for their alleged links to the assault on a strategic stronghold in northern Venezuela.
Another 23 people are wanted by the authorities, who asked Interpol for nine international arrest warrants, added González López, who did not specify how many civilians are among the arrested.
These facts are related to the ongoing criminal action of opposition groups that seek to overthrow the government of Nicolas Maduro,”
said González, referring to protests against the socialist ruler, where about 125 have lost their lives in just over four months.
The attack on Fort Paramacay in Carabobo state on August 6th was carried out
with the complicity of local and national opposition political leaders, members of unions, businessmen and members of the (Catholic) church,”
according to Gonzalez, who defined it as a” terrorist action.”
A score of men, commanded by the captain Juan Caguaripano Scott, participated in the assault to the base. Two died and eight were captured during three hours of fighting, while the rest managed to flee with weapons.
Police arrested Caguaripano in Caracas on Friday. The man was in exile since 2014 after being expelled from the Armed Forces for rebellion.
González López said that the authorities have recovered 21 assault rifles, three grenade launchers, pistols, military garments and ammunition. They have also frozen bank accounts “that served as support for terrorist structures”.