Venezuela helicopter attack

A stolen police helicopter opened fire and dropped four grenades on Venezuela’s Supreme Court building in Caracas on June 28, causing minor damage but no casualties. A police officer released a video statement claiming to have piloted the helicopter and saying that he represented a group consisting of members of the military and the police as well as civilians opposed to the government of President Nicolás Maduro.

President Maduro called the attack a “terrorist act” and used it to justify greater military involvement in keeping the peace. More than 80 people have been killed in antigovernment protests in Venezuela, ongoing since April 1. Opposition groups have accused the police and military of purposefully targeting protesters with live ammo.