Caracas, May 8 (teleSUR-RHC)-- Eight military officials were sentenced by a military tribunal on Wednesday for their role in a plot by the far-right opposition to overthrow the democratically elected government, according to Venezuelan defense minister.
Venezuelan Minister of Defense Vladimir Padrino Lopez welcomed the news via a post on his Twitter account. President Nicolas Maduro revealed in February that a coup plot under the name “Operat ion Jericho, ” involving both civilians and members of the military, had been foiled. The plot involved the assassination of the president and the bombing of key sites, such as a the presidential palace, the Supreme Court, and the offices of teleSUR, among others.
A video of masked military officials speaking out against the government had been recorded, which was set to be released after the assassination plan was carried out. Just one day before the coup plot was to take place, three key figures of Venezuela’s opposition, Leopoldo Lopez, Maria Corina Machado, and Antonio Ledezma, published a so-called “transition” statement in one of the country’s main newspapers.
The release called for a privatization of the country’s oil, as well as deregulation of Venezuela’s economy. Ledezma was arrested and is facing charges of sedition and conspiracy for his alleged role in the coup plot.
