Chris Gilbert — The Coup d’Etat Attempt in Venezuela

If there were not a coup d’etat underway, someone would have to invent one to rally the masses. That may be the case for the Venezuelan government today, which is beset with so many problems, and it is one of the reasons that some people are incredulous about the latest claim of President Nicolás Maduro to be victim of a planned coup attempt. Nevertheless, there was real evidence presented two weeks ago of a conspiracy in the ranks of the Venezuelan Air Force. In fact, there are three important elements: real evidence, real informers and, fortunately, real arrests.…

CounterPunch
The Coup d’Etat Attempt in Venezuela
Chris Gilbert, Caracas, Venezuela

Lucas Koerner — Venezuelan Officials allege Blackwater, U.S. and Canadian Links to thwarted Coup

The plot thickens.

New revelations in Venezuela have linked U.S. private security firm Blackwater, now known as Academi, to the aircraft that was to be used as part of Thursday’s thwarted “Blue Coup” attempt.

The four-stage plan included economic war, an international media offensive against the Venezuelan government, political destabilization fomenting ungovernability, and finally the use of a Super Tucano aircraft to strike “tactical targets” in the capital, such as the Presidential Palace, teleSur, and military intelligence. 

The coup was planned for the one-year anniversary of violent opposition protests known as the Guarimba and was to come one day after a public statement by leading opposition leaders calling for a “transition”.

nsnbc
Venezuelan Officials allege Blackwater, U.S. and Canadian Links to thwarted Coup
Lucas Koerner | Venezuelanalysis

Telesur English — 'Almost All' Opposition Leaders Knew About Venezuelan Coup Plot

In a televised address Saturday night, Venezuela's president Nicolas Maduro revealed new information on the foiled coup attempt against his government, including accusations that the country’s opposition leaders were aware of the plans.…

In addition to attempting to bribe officials and politicians with cash and visas to enter the United States, the Venezuelan president expanded on the role played by the U.S. Embassy in the country, saying that the script read by coupplotters in a video they planned to air once the plan had been initiated was crafted by an advisor at the Embassy.…

Telesur English
'Almost All' Opposition Leaders Knew About Venezuelan Coup Plot

Also Peter Koenig, The War on Venezuela's Democracy – A Thwarted Coup Attempt

Peter Koenig is an economist and geopolitical analyst. He is also a former World Bank staff and worked extensively around the world in the fields of environment and water resources.