Venezuela helicopter attack suspect releases new video

Venezuela helicopter attack suspect releases new video

A movie star revolutionary who attacked a Venezuelan courthouse with grenades from a helicopter in a suspected coup attempt has appeared in a new video. 

In the clip, Oscar Perez urged Venezuelans to 'stand firm in the streets' in their protests against socialist President Nicolas Maduro.

The 36-year-old elite cop, speaking in front of a Venezuelan flag and with a machine gun by his side, said: 'The moment is now, not tomorrow. The moment to wake up is now.'

Movie star revolutionary Oscar Perez, who attacked a Venezuelan courthouse with grenades from a helicopter in a suspected coup attempt, has appeared in a new video (pictured)

The net is closing on an action movie star revolutionary who attacked a Venezuelan courthouse with grenades as it emerged his stolen helicopter (pictured) has been found 

President Nicolas Maduro described Perez's actions as a 'coup' and a 'terrorist' attack and launched a manhunt for him and his co-conspirators

On June 27 Perez and unidentified accomplices flew over Caracas in a police helicopter and dropped four grenades on the Supreme Court before opening fire on the interior ministry. There were no casualties.

In the five-minute video, Perez, dressed in military clothing and wearing a purple arm band, reportedly confirmed he was in Caracas to continue the struggle for 'the liberation of the country' and insisted the June attack had been carried out without causing injuries. 

'There was no collateral damage because it was programmed, because we are not murderers,' he said.

'The moment is now, not tomorrow ... Let us stand firm the streets because we are defending our future, ou r rights and duties.' 

Perez appeared in a video released online around the time of the attacks flanked by four masked figures in black - two of them holding rifles - calling for an uprising.

He claimed to belong to a group that included military members, police and public servants opposed to the 'criminal government.'

A nationwide manhunt is underway for Oscar Perez who is being blamed for targeting the building in Caracas in protest at dictator Nicolas Maduro's government. He is pictured during an event of the Body of Scientific, Penal and Criminal Investigation in Caracas in 2015

Oscar Perez claims to be an agent with the CICPC, Venezuela's equivalent of the FBI, before turning rogue - stealing a government helicopter and launching a grenade and gun attack on the country's Supreme Court in Caracas

Perez's claims on Instagram to be a special investigator for CICPC who is a helicopter pilot, specialist K9 trainer and weapons expert

Maduro branded the action a 'terrorist attack,' part of an 'escalation' by right-wing 'coup' plotters. He put the military on alert in response.

A day later, Perez's helicopter was found in the coastal town of Osma, 85 kilometers (52 miles) from Caracas.

In Tuesday's video, Perez said the attacks were carried out as planned.

'We only damaged structures ... there was no collateral damage because that's what was planned, because we're not murderers... like you, Mr. Maduro,' Perez says, pointing his index finger at the camera.

In many of his posts, Perez shows off his skills on the firing range - including this footage where he hits a target behind him using a makeup compact mirror

Perez does have an acting past - having produced and starred in a 2015 film called Suspended Death in which he plays a cop rescuing a wealthy hostage from a vicious gang 

When he is not on the target range or throwing himself out of helicopters, Perez seems to enjoy a life befitting James Bond - filled with fine clothes and expensive food

Perez issued a statement after going rogue on Tuesday, saying he was fighting for justice against an 'evil' and tyrannical government

President Nicolas Maduro said a helicopter fired on Venezuela's Supreme Court Tuesday in a confusing incident that he claimed was part of a coup attempt

Perez, who said he was back in Caracas, added that his group would join the protests.

'We will go out in the streets and will be with you. You are not alone,' he said.

The opposition Democratic Unity Roundtable (MUD) coalition has distanced itself from the attack.

'The MUD demands democratic change only by peaceful means,' opposition lawmaker Juan Guaido said earlier.

Many people, including opposition leaders, suspect that Perez might be a frontman hired by the government to justify its crackdown on the opponents.

Maduro is under pressure after three months of unrest that officials say have left 91 p eople dead.

A bus was pictured in flames outside the court on Tuesday as armed police swarmed to defend it from the attack

Caracas, where the Supreme Court is located, was the site of unrest yesterday - part of nearly three months of demonstrations against Maduro

 

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