Caracas: Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro has survived an assassination attempt at a military event in Caracas.

Witnesses said the Venezuelan president was apparently attacked by several explosive laden drones on Saturday.

The Venezuelan information minister says the president is fine.

State television Maduro abruptly cutting short a speech, causing hundreds of soldiers present to break ranks and scatter.

Maduro wore a presidential banner and was in the capital of Caracas during a celebration of the National Guard's 81st anniversary. </s> The Latest on explosions at speech given by Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro (all times local):

Firefighters at the scene of an explosion that Venezuelan officials call an attack on President Nicolas Maduro are disputing the government's version of events.

Three officials who spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss the case say the incident was actually a gas tank explosion inside an apartment.

Smoke could be seen coming out of a building window at the site of the incident.

Information Minister Jorge Rodriguez said that several drones armed with explosives detonated near Maduro as he was delivering a speech.

He characterized it as an attack aimed at the embattled president, who was recently elected to a new term in office despite a crippling economic and humanitarian crisis.

Venezuela's government says several explosions heard at a military event were an attempted attack on President Nicolas Maduro.

Information Minister Jorge Rodriguez said in a live broadcast Saturday that several drone-like devices with explosives detonated near the president.

He said Maduro is safe and unharmed but that seven people were injured.

Firefighters near the scene are disputing the government's version of events. </s> President Nicolás Maduro survived a reported attack over the weekend — the latest of several recent plots against his government which is unpopular because of hyperinflation and food shortages.

In Venezuela, President Nicolas Maduro survived an apparent assassination attempt this weekend. It reportedly involved drones packed with explosives. Now, Maduro's government is deeply unpopular because of hyperinflation and food shortages. Reporter John Otis has more.

JOHN OTIS, BYLINE: Maduro was addressing National Guard troops at an outdoor ceremony in Caracas on Saturday when the attack occurred. State television captured the moment.

OTIS: Maduro's speech is interrupted by an explosion. Then sirens sound, and hundreds of troops can be seen running for cover. Bodyguards hustled Maduro to safety, but seven Venezuelan troops were injured. Hours later, Maduro again took to the airwaves.

OTIS: "This was a plot to kill me. Today, they tried to assassinate me," he said. On Sunday, Interior Minister Nestor Reverol provided more details.

OTIS: He said the attack was carried out by two commercial drones of the type used for filmmaking. Each was armed with explosives. Reverol said that one of the drones malfunctioned and hit an apartment building. The other, he said, was disabled by government signal-jamming technology and crashed. The government blamed far-right Venezuelans and neighboring Colombia, which has been fiercely critical of Maduro's increasingly authoritarian regime. Colombia denied involvement. Meanwhile, two shadowy groups claiming to be made up of Venezuelan military men took credit for Saturday's attack. Harold Trinkunas, a Venezuela expert at Stanford University, says this is a more likely explanation. He points out that Venezuela's military counterintelligence has stymied several larger coup plots.

HAROLD TRINKUNAS: So these kind of small uprisings that's we've seen in Venezuela or these attacks that can be mounted by just a few individuals, you know, flying drones are the kinds of things that you'd expect to see in a country where it's very hard to organize any other kind of resistance to the government.

OTIS: So far, the government says six people have been arrested. For NPR News, I'm John Otis. </s> Venezuela President Nicolas Maduro said he survived an assassination attempt involving explosive-laden drones and blamed the United States and Colombia for the alleged attack.

U.S. National Security Adviser John Bolton Sunday denied any U.S. role in the incident.

In a televised speech late Saturday, Maduro said "everything points" to a right-wing plot he claims originated in neighboring Colombia. He said God, the people and the country's armed forces saved him from being killed.

"That drone was coming for me but there was a shield of love," Maduro said. "I am sure I will live for many more years."

He added that he has "no doubt that the name [Colombian President] Juan Manuel Santos is behind this attack." The French news agency (AFP) quotes a source in the Colombian government as saying the charge against President Santos are "without foundation."

Maduro said initial investigations "indicate that various of those financing it live in the United States, in the state of Florida. I hope that President Donald Trump is ready to fight these terrorist groups."

The Venezuelan leader said several perpetrators were caught, but he did not provide further details.

While Maduro was speaking about Venezuela's economy at the event, television images showed Maduro and others looking startled after the sound of multiple explosions could be heard. A moment later, the video showed soldiers breaking ranks and scurrying for cover.

Venezuela has been in turmoil for several years. Once one of Latin America's wealthiest countries, years of poor governing and failed social policies have eroded the nation's stability resulting in social strife and runaway inflation.

Maduro was elected in May to a new six-year term in a result widely denounced by the opposition and international observers as illegitimate and rife with irregularities. </s> CARACAS (Reuters) - Drones loaded with explosives detonated close to a military event where Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro was giving a speech on Saturday, but he and the rest of the government escaped unharmed in what Information Minister Jorge Rodriguez said was an “attack” against the leftist leader. Seven National Guard soldiers were injured, Rodriguez added.

A broadcast by Maduro was cut short during an outdoor speech at a military event in Caracas and soldiers were seen running before the televised transmission was cut off.

While Maduro was speaking about Venezuela’s economy, the audio suddenly went and he and others on the podium looked up, startled. The camera then panned to scores of soldiers who started running, before the transmission was cut.

Venezuela is living under the fifth year of a severe economic crisis that has sparked malnutrition, hyperinflation and mass emigration.

OPEC member Venezuela’s once-thriving socialist economy has collapsed since the 2014 fall of oil prices.

Last year, rogue police officer Oscar Perez hijacked a helicopter and fired at government buildings in what he said was an action against a dictator. Perez was hunted down and killed by Venezuelan forces in January.

A National Guard captain, Juan Carlos Caguaripano, early last year attacked a military base with a group of current and former military officials. He was captured soon after. </s> CARACAS, Venezuela (AP) — The Latest on Venezuela's announcement of a drone attack aimed at President Nicolas Maduro (all times local):

People living near the site of what appeared to be an assassination attempt against Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro say they saw a drone crashing into an apartment building as explosions occurred during the event.

Officials say attackers flew drones loaded with explosives toward the president during an open-air military ceremony that was broadcast on live television. Maduro wasn't injured.

Witnesses interviewed by The Associated Press on Sunday confirmed seeing at least one drone apparently linked to an explosion.

One showed a cellphone video of a drone hovering over a residential street two blocks away and then crashing into a building. While the video doesn't show an explosion, the witness said it fell and then exploded, starting a fire.

Another resident apparently saw the same drone. Maerum Gonzalez says she heard a thundering explosion and in terror ran to her fifth-floor balcony. She says she saw a drone strike the same building mentioned by the other witness and then fall. Moments later she heard a second explosion and saw black smoke rising.

President Donald Trump's national security adviser says the U.S. played no role in the apparent assassination attempt on Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro.

Venezuelan officials say drones armed with explosives detonated while Maduro was delivering a speech to hundreds of soldiers being broadcast live on television.

Trump's adviser, John Bolton, says he can state "unequivocally" that "there was no U.S. government involvement in this at all."

As to what happened in Caracas, Bolton said "it could be a lot of things from a pretext set up by the Maduro regime itself to something else."

Maduro on Saturday did not directly blame the U.S. government, pointing instead at Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos. But he asserted that the "intellectual authors" and financiers behind the plan live in Florida. And he said the attack's goal "is what U.S. imperialism is seeking" — "a Venezuela in conflict, in civil war."

He asked Trump to arrest the terrorists.

Apparently in response, Bolton said " ''If the government of Venezuela has hard information that they want to present to us that would show a potential violation of U.S. criminal law, we'll take a serious look at it." </s> Several drones armed with explosives were detonated near Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro in Caracas Saturday in what he called an assassination attempt carried out by "far-right" opponents.A government official termed it an "attempt against the president."Maduro, who was unharmed, was speaking at a celebration of the 81st anniversary of the National Guard, when detonations from "various drones" near the presidential area and along the parade route occurred, Jorge Rodriguez, the Venezuelan Minister of Communication and Information, said on Venezuelan state television."This was an attempt to kill me," Maduro said in a TV address to the country following the attack. "Today they attempted to assassinate me."I stand, alive and victorious, ready to follow the battles and fights that touch me forever," he added.Maduro said that he believes the Venezuelan far-right worked with the Colombian far-right in the attack. He also said Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos is responsible.He said that some of the orchestrators of the attack have been captured, and evidence has been seized."This was an attempt against the president," Rodriguez said. "They failed and will continue to fail. He is in perfect health and shape."Maduro, who Rodriguez said was evacuated from the scene, met with his generals and cabinet members after the explosion.In addition to far-right factions in the country, he blamed others in Bogota and Miami, and said he hoped that President Donald Trump would help "fight the terrorist groups."The minister said seven people were injured and were being treated for unspecified injuries at hospitals.Video from state television shows Maduro, wearing his presidential banner, speaking about the economy when he hears a noise. His wife, standing to his right, clearly ducks and looks up at the sky, apparently in the direction of the explosion.The soldiers lined up in front of Maduro can be seen breaking ranks and running before the transmission was cut."The people are with the president," Rodriguez said.Maduro has served as the president of Venezuela since 2013 when he took over from strongman Hugo Chavez. Maduro was a close ally of the late Chavez, serving as president of the National Assembly, his foreign minister and vice president.He has faced a host of crises since he took office as his country has dealt with severe economic issues, hunger, rising crime and inflation.The country is given a Level 3 travel advisory, its second-highest, by the U.S. State Department, meaning Americans should not travel to the country. U.S. Embassy family members were evacuated in October 2017.The U.S. issued a new warning for Sunday, following the attack, saying, "U.S. government personnel have been instructed to shelter in place until further notice. U.S. citizens should seek secure shelter, keep a low profile, avoid crowds, and avoid demonstrations." </s> Drones loaded with explosives detonated close to a military event where Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro was giving a speech on Saturday, but he and the rest of the government escaped unharmed in what Information Minister Jorge Rodriguez said was an "attack" against the leftist leader.

CARACAS: Drones loaded with explosives detonated close to a military event where Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro was giving a speech on Saturday, but he and the rest of the government escaped unharmed in what Information Minister Jorge Rodriguez said was an "attack" against the leftist leader. Seven National Guard soldiers were injured, Rodriguez added.

A broadcast by Maduro was cut short during an outdoor speech at a military event in Caracas and soldiers were seen running before the televised transmission was cut off.

While Maduro was speaking about Venezuela's economy, the audio suddenly went and he and others on the podium looked up, startled. The camera then panned to scores of soldiers who started running, before the transmission was cut.

Venezuela is living under the fifth year of a severe economic crisis that has sparked malnutrition, hyperinflation and mass emigration.

OPEC member Venezuela's once-thriving socialist economy has collapsed since the 2014 fall of oil prices.

Last year, rogue police officer Oscar Perez hijacked a helicopter and fired at government buildings in what he said was an action against a dictator. Perez was hunted down and killed by Venezuelan forces in January.

A National Guard captain, Juan Carlos Caguaripano, early last year attacked a military base with a group of current and former military officials. He was captured soon after. </s> The 'masterminds' of the alleged drone assassination attempt on Venezuelan President Nicolas Maudro have been identified, authorities said, as Brazil temporarily closed its border to people from the crisis-hit nation.

Venezuelan Attorney General Tarek William Saab told a news conference that several suspects were in custody, including two people 'caught in the act' piloting one of the drones from a car close to the scene.

He called Saturday's drone attack, in which seven soldiers were wounded, 'an attempted massacre', and Maduro has already pointed fingers at political enemies in Colombia and the United States.

The incident took place on Saturday during a parade marking the 81st anniversary of the National Guard, in the capital Caracas.

Video footage from the event shows Maduro standing flanked by military chiefs and his wife when suddenly explosions are heard.

Soldiers can be seen seen scattering away from the stage, before the broadcast was cut.

Yesterday, Interior Minister Nestor Reverol said six people have been arrested over the alleged assassination attempt, claiming two drones had been used, each carrying a kilogram (2.2lbs) of C4 explosive.

No drones could be seen in the broadcast of the event, which was cut moments after the soldiers were seen scattering away from where Maduro was standing flanked by military chiefs and his wife.

Maduro and his allies insist it was a drone assassination bid, despite no evidence being provided to prove this.

The socialist leader's critics have said they feared the Venezuelan government would use the attack to step up repression of the opposition and dissidents.

Shortly before midnight last night, Maduro renewed his accusation against his Colombian counterpart, President Juan Manuel Santos, promising to release proof 'in the next few hours.'

The allegation has worsened already fraught ties between Caracas and Bogota. Santos, who hands over power to elected successor Ivan Duque on Tuesday, has categorically denied it.

International experts have expressed similar concerns in the wake of the incident, saying it is giving the President an opportunity to distract the population from the economic crisis.

'It's the [former President Hugo] Chavez and Maduro playbook – to blame others for their problems, whether it's food shortages, inflation, medicine shortages, diseases such as polio [reappearing], which was eradicated nearly 40 years ago,' Jason Marczak, director of the Atlantic Council's Adrienne Arsht Latin America Center, told Fox News.

'Colombia is increasingly seen as a scapegoat for Maduro for the problems he faces in Venezuela, problems he created in his own country,' Marczak said.

'There has been a ramp-up in Colombia's attention to the crisis in Venezuela and trying to facilitate some type of international response...to put pressure on Venezuela.'

A live broadcast of Saturday's incident on Venezuelan state television showed Maduro interrupted in mid-speech by an explosion and looking up in confusion.

Dozens of soldiers on parade are then seen breaking ranks and running away in panic.

Maduro and his government said the president had been targeted by two flying drones carrying explosives. But details of the incident remain unclear, with conflicting information coming from various sources.

The Maduro administration said Colombia had collaborated on the attack with the 'ultra far-right' Venezuelan opposition, and it was financed by unnamed figures in the US state of Florida.

No evidence was given to support the allegations. Thousands of exiled Venezuelans live in Colombia and in Florida.

On the first working day after the Maduro incident, Brazil briefly closed its northern border to Venezuelans on Monday - while allowing other nationalities entry.

It is not thought to be related to Maduro's alleged assassination attempt, as Brazil has been struggling to contain mass migration from Venezuela for some time.

The Supreme Court overturned a lower court decision that had suspended the entry of more Venezuelans until other immigrants from the country were transferred elsewhere in Brazil.

'It is not justified to take the easy path to 'close the doors' because of difficulties in hosting refugees,' Supreme Court justice Rosa Weber said in her ruling issued shortly before midnight.

The border had remained open to Brazilians and other nationalities, as well as to Venezuelans seeking to return to their home country.

It's a main crossing point for tens of thousands of Venezuelan migrants, an influx that has increased dramatically over the past two years.

An estimated 500 Venezuelans cross the land border into Brazil each day.

Maduro, a former bus driver who took over the reins from his mentor Hugo Chavez upon the latter's death to cancer in 2013, has been ruling in increasingly autocratic fashion with military support.

He controls almost all the country's institutions, and has used the supreme court, electoral authorities and a new super-legislative body, the Constitutional Assembly, to sideline the opposition-run parliament, the National Assembly.

Although he won a new six-year term in controversial snap elections boycotted by the opposition, Maduro remains widely reviled for presiding over a collapsing economy.

Inflation this year is projected to reach as high as one million percent, according to the International Monetary Fund. Oil exports - a vital money-earner for a country sitting atop the world's largest crude reserves - have declined sharply.

Venezuela's currency, the bolivar, is practically worthless and food and medicine are extremely scarce, prompting hundreds of thousands of Venezuelans to flee abroad.

The country is largely isolated internationally and is subject to US sanctions that greatly degrade Caracas's capacity to raise credit.

Maduro regularly accuses the 'imperialist' United States of plotting coups against him and waging 'economic war' on Venezuela.
Venezuela President Nicolás Maduro survives what he claims is an assassination attempt involving drones while speaking at a military event in Caracas. Eight people are injured.