Venezuela army hunts Valencia ‘mercenaries’ — but everything is normal, says Maduro
Valencia — Venezuela’s military was hunting a group of "mercenaries" on Monday who made off with weapons after an attack on an army base carried out against what they called the "murderous tyranny" of President Nicolas Maduro. About 20 men, led by an army officer who had deserted, battled troops in the base in the third city of Valencia for three hours early on Sunday, officials said. The raid ended with two of the attackers being killed and eight captured, Maduro said on state television. The other 10 escaped with weapons taken from the facility, according to officials who said an "intense search" was under way for them. Maduro claimed the "terrorist" group had ties to Colombia and the US. The incident heightened fear that Venezuela’s deepening political and economic crisis could explode into greater violence, perhaps open armed conflict. Officials insisted afterwards that all was normal across the country. Military helicopters flew overhead and tactical armoured vehicles patrolled...
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