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Will Venezuela's Military Turn on the President?

Aug 7, 2017 | 23:08 GMT

Opposition activists demonstrate in Valencia on Aug. 6, a day after the newly elected, controversial constituent assembly was implemented.

Opposition activists demonstrate in Valencia on Aug. 6, a day after the newly elected, controversial National Constituent Assembly was implemented. The government of President Nicolas Maduro has been able to stay in power despite low approval ratings largely because the military has remained loyal, but there are some indications that could be changing.

(RONALDO SCHEMIDT/AFP/Getty Images)

Highlights

By itself, the theft of arms from Fort Paramacay won't be the downfall of the Venezuelan government.
The incident does indicate, however, that parts of the military could be turning against Maduro.
The possibility of a coup isn't the only threat to the government. Steady military defiance could weaken it against the opposition and complicate its efforts to rewrite the constitution.
But the Maduro government won't go down without a bitter fight.

Something big happened at Venezuela's Fort Paramacay military base early Aug. 6, but the only clear thing about the event is that it's significant. Piecing together information from the Venezuelan government and independent media reports, we can gather that around 5 a.m. local time a group of people entered Fort Paramacay in Valencia. It's unknown how the individuals gained access to the base, but according to government reports they made their way to the armory and stole more than 90 AK-103 rifles and four rocket-propelled grenades. Security forces responded, and two of the intruders were killed in a shootout. Eight people, whom the government accused of being involved, were presented to the press later the same day....

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