Story highlights
- Helicopter from which attackers fired guns, threw grenades is found near beachside town
- Venezuelan president calls attack a coup attempt
(CNN)A stolen police helicopter used during a daring attack on the Venezuelan Supreme Court was found Wednesday in a rural part of the country, but the man authorities say piloted the aircraft is on the run.
The helicopter was allegedly piloted by Oscar Perez, an officer in the country's investigative police force. As it strafed the court building and the Interior Ministry in Caracas on Tuesday, attackers fired gunshots and lobbed grenades, officials said.
The assault was a dramatic escalation of the months-long crisis engulfing the regime of President Nicolas Maduro.
None of those involved in the attack appear to have been tracked down. Venezuela has asked Interpol to issue a red notice for Perez, according to Néstor Luis Reverol, the county's minister of interior, justice and peace. A red notice alerts authorities in other countries, including border officials, that someone is wanted.
The helicopter was found in the seaside state of Vargas, Venezuelan state news agency AVN reported. Photos published on the verified Twitter feed for Venezuela's Vice President Tareck El Aissami show the helicopter in a clearing. It was found by the Venezuelan Air Force in a heavily-wooded area near the municipality of Osma, some 80 kilometers (50 miles) northeast of Caracas.
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Maduro condemned the attack as an attempted coup, saying "terrorists" were behind the offensive and that an operation was underway to track the perpetrators down.
But much remained murky about the assault. If it was an attempt to unseat Maduro's government, it was a spectacular failure; no one was injured and one of the grenades failed to explode, government officials said.
It was unclear how a rogue police helicopter could have circled high-profile buildings in the Venezuelan capital without being shot down. Witnesses and local journalists said the assault went on for about two hours.
Earlier Tuesday, Maduro appeared to foreshadow an uprising, saying that his supporters would be ready to take up arms if the "Bolivarian revolution" was threatened.
The attack came after months of protests against Maduro's regime and ahead of a vote on July 30 to elect members of a controversial new body that could make changes to the country's constitution.
Video messager
Before the attack began, a man who identified himself as Perez appeared in a video online saying an operation was underway to seize democracy back from Venezuela's "criminal government." Flanked by a group of armed men in military fatigues and balaclavas, Perez claimed to be speaking on behalf of a coalition of military, police officers and civil officials.
In his video message, Perez said he was a pilot in the special response unit of Venezuela's Criminal Investigative Police (CICPC) and demanded that Maduro step down.
"On this day, we are carrying out a deployment by air and land with the sole purpose to return the democratic power to the people and to ensure the laws to establish constitutional order," he said.
Photographs posted online showed a helicopter with the initials of the investigative police unit on its side, flying above the capital, Caracas.
Through an open door an occupant is seen holding a banner saying "Article 350 libertad" -- referring to an article in the Venezuelan constitution that allows citizens to oppose the government should it subvert democratic principles.
Se reporta explosión en el TSJ, un helicoptero del CICPC lanzó un explosivo a la sede del TSJ. pic.twitter.com/3OFjJthSGs
— Reynaldo Riobueno (@reynaldor297) June 27, 2017
It remained unclear on Wednesday how much support the assailants enjoyed among the police and security services they claimed to represent.
The background of Perez, the apparent ringleader, appeared colorful: Reuters reported that he was involved in a 2015 action film, Suspended Death, which he co-produced and starred in as an intelligence agent rescuing a kidnapped businessman.
Maduro response
Minister for Communications and Information Ernesto Villegas called the incident an attempted coup.
He said the attackers had launched four grenades, two against a group of National Guards who were protecting the court building. About 15 shots were fired around the Ministry of the Interior, a few blocks away from the presidential palace, he said, while a social event was ongoing inside the building, celebrating the National Day of Journalists. Around 80 people were in the building, he said.
Maduro said he had activated government security forces to investigate the attack.
#27Jun #URGENTE #Caracas Vecinos difunden vídeo del helicóptero del CICPC secuestrado aterrizando pic.twitter.com/NTWXUAsWCt
— Nelson Albornoz (@NelsonJAF) June 28, 2017
Earlier Tuesday, Maduro warned of a potential attack. Speaking at a rally, he said, "If Venezuela was launched into chaos and violence and the Bolivarian Revolution was destroyed, we would go to combat.
"We would never give up. And what couldn't be done with votes, we would do it with weapons. We would liberate our fatherland with arms."
Villegas said the vote on the constituent assembly would go ahead as planned. "This will not impede the right to vote by the Venezuelan people on July 30th to elect the members of the National Assembly constituency," he said.
Critics have said it would also allow for the reshaping of the current legislative body, as well as redefining the President's executive powers.
The government intimidates and restricts the media in Venezuela, taking CNN en Español off the air. The government tightly controls visas for foreign journalists including CNN, arresting those who report from inside the country without proper permits.
Venezuelan authorities inspect the area around the Supreme Court in Caracas after a stolen police helicopter attacked the building with grenades on Tuesday, June 27. The incident comes in a dramatic escalation of the months-long crisis engulfing the regime of President Nicolas Maduro. An officer in the country's investigative police force piloted the chopper in the attack, which Maduro called an attempted coup.
Bolivarian National Guard members clash with deputies of the National Assembly in the Parliament's courtyard on June 27. Venezuela has seen widespread unrest since March 29 when the Supreme Court dissolved Parliament and transferred all legislative powers to itself. The decision was later reversed, but protests continue across the country.
A boy runs under a national flag during a June 27 protest in Caracas against attacks on journalists.
President Nicolas Maduro talks on a mobile phone during Army Day celebrations in Caracas on Saturday, June 24. Anti-government protesters want Maduro to step down, accusing him of eroding democracy.
Protesters tear down a fence at the La Carlota airbase outside Caracas on Friday, June 23. A soldier shot a demonstrator through the fence at the base on the previous day, killing him.
Protester David Jose Vallenilla is shot through a fence by a member of the National Bolivarian Guard near a military base in Caracas on June 22. Vallenilla later died in the hospital after suffering three gunshot wounds to the chest.
Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro holds up a copy of the Venezuelan constitution during a news conference at the presidential palace in Caracas on June 22. Maduro has called for changes to the constitution amid the unrest.
A protester hides behind a barrier in Caracas, Venezuela, on June 22.
An opposition activist displays bullet shells during an anti-government demonstration on Monday, June 19.
People flee during a clash between opposition demonstrators and riot police in Caracas on June 19.
Opposition activists aim projectiles toward riot police during a demonstration on June 19.
Demonstrators stand in front of a police vehicle on June 19.
Demonstrators clash with riot police in Caracas on Saturday, June 10.
Demonstrators gather on Thursday, June 8, to protest the death of young activist Neomar Lander. Lander reportedly died during clashes with riot police on Wednesday, June 7.
A street in eastern Caracas is painted with the names of people killed during more than two months of protests.
During a "Grandparents' March" in Caracas, a man is blocked by police from reaching the Government Ombudsman's Office on Friday, May 12.
Opposition activists scuffle with riot police in Caracas on May 12.
Anti-government protesters face off against military forces during an opposition march in Caracas on Wednesday, May 10.
Thousands of Venezuelan protesters march on a Caracas highway on May 10.
Opposition activists clash with riot police in Caracas on Monday, May 8.
An armored National Guard vehicle runs over a protester in Caracas on Wednesday, May 3. The protester, 22-year-old Pedro Michell Yaminne, survived, his mother told CNN. Interior and justice minister Nestor Reverol told reporters that the "lamentable" incident was under investigation. He said that moments before Yaminne was run over, demonstrators hurled a Molotov cocktail at the armored vehicle, opened the side door and "brutally assaulted" the driver.
A demonstrator catches on fire during protests in Caracas on May 3. It happened as protesters clashed with police and the gas tank of a police motorbike exploded. Other photos from the scene showed the man being attended to with burns on his body.
A demonstrator stands in front of an armored vehicle during protests in Caracas on Wednesday, April 19.
A protester aims a Molotov cocktail at police on April 19.
Opposition leader Henrique Capriles reacts to tear gas during a protest on April 19.
Rescue workers tend to a demonstrator hit by a tear gas canister during anti-government protests on April 19.
Riot police clash with demonstrators while tear gas fills the air in Caracas on April 19.
Opposition protesters burn an effigy of their country's vice president, Tareck El Aissami, during a protest in Caracas on Sunday, April 16.
A demonstrator reacts during a march in Caracas on Saturday, April 15.
A protester suffering from the effects of tear gas is carried away on Thursday, April 13.
Clouds of tear gas spread across a highway in Caracas during clashes on Monday, April 10.
Demonstrators help a journalist whose leg was injured while covering clashes in Caracas on April 10.
Opposition activists are engulfed by a cloud of tear gas in Caracas on April 10.
Thousands of demonstrators protest against Maduro in Caracas on Saturday, April 8.
Riot police are attacked with Molotov cocktails on April 8.
Venezuelan police line up before clashing with opposition activists on Thursday, April 6.
Demonstrators fight with national police officers in Caracas on Tuesday, April 4.
Opposition lawmakers, guardsmen clash
Shortly before the helicopter incident, there were clashes about a mile away between opposition lawmakers and Venezuelan National Guardsmen outside the Venezuelan National Assembly.
According to the National Assembly's official Twitter page, the scuffles -- caught on video -- started after the National Guardsmen came into the building carrying electoral boxes, prompting demands for an explanation from lawmakers.
Members of the National Guard clash with deputies of the National Assembly in the courtyard of the Parliament in Caracas on Tuesday.
Opposition lawmakers said they had been prevented by guardsmen from leaving the building for over four hours. A journalist was injured, they said.
Late Tuesday night, the Venezuelan Supreme Court issued a decision that grants Venezuelan Ombudsman Tarek Williams Saab -- a Maduro loyalist -- powers to investigate, defend and oversee human rights complaints.
The decision follows disagreement between the offices of the Ombudsman and the Attorney General as to who is responsible for the investigation and prosecution of human rights abuses.
It is unclear from the Supreme Court's decision if the powers have been fully transferred to Saab or if the two offices will now investigate cases. CNN is seeking clarification from the government.
Venezuela: How paradise got lost
Months of chaos
Venezuela is in the throes of a political and humanitarian crisis which has brought thousands of people onto the streets in mass protests demanding a change of government.
Soaring inflation and widespread shortages of medicines, food and other essentials have infuriated many people, who are struggling to afford even basic necessities.
A group of hooded civilians stand outside the Parliament building in Caracas on Tuesday.
Under former President Hugo Chavez, who was Maduro's mentor, oil revenue fueled Venezuela's economy. However, falling oil prices have made state subsidies unsustainable.
Anti-government protesters want Maduro to step down, accusing him of eroding democracy. Maduro, meanwhile, has sent the Venezuelan military onto the streets to maintain order, leading to deadly clashes. At least 75 civilians have died in the unrest, including the point-blank shooting of a 22-year-old protester by a soldier last week.
CNN's Marilia Brochetto, Julia Jones, Michael Roa, Sarah Faidell and Clara Lopez contributed to this report. Journalist Stefano Pozzebon also contributed.
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