Maduro says would take FBI help over ‘murder plot’

CARACAS: President Nicolas Maduro has said he would allow Federal Bureau of Investigation agents come to Venezuela to help investigate a recent alleged plot to kill him with explosive drones — but with conditions.

If United States officials confirm “the offer for the FBI to investigate links in Florida with the assassination plan...

“I would agree for the FBI to come here,” Maduro said at an event with top military leaders late on Saturday.

The incident took place on the evening of Aug 4 when Maduro said he was targeted by an explosives-laden drone at a military parade in Caracas which was broadcast live on TV.

Maduro has blamed the attack on “terrorist cells” in Florida led by a man called Osman Delgado Tabosky, whom he claims was behind the plot.

The state is home to a large community of Venezuelan immigrants.

His apparent willingness to accept the FBI’s help came after Foreign Minister Jorge Arreaza said on Wednesday that Washington’s charge d’affairs in Caracas, James Story, had expressed “the willingness of his government to cooperate” in the investigation of the plot.

During the incident, an explosion occurred above Maduro’s head as he was speaking then when a second explosion was heard, the troops could be seen scattering in panic.

Authorities have arrested 10 suspects whom they accuse of involvement backed by support from neighbouring Colombia as well as from people living in the United States.