Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro's speech cut short by explosion; Assassination attempt? (video)

Brett T. | 8:06 PM on August 04, 2018

Update: Here’s a much clearer video of the reaction to the explosion:

What is going on in Venezuela? Check out the explosion as President Nicolas Maduro is speaking:

https://twitter.com/LaloDagach/status/1025885226311008258

The Venezuelan information minister reportedly believes drones with explosives attacked the president during his speech.

#BREAKING: "#Maduro TV address interrupted by assassination attempt that has failed using a drone filled with C-4 explosives" – Sources to @SputnikInt: pic.twitter.com/wf6Csns3LG

— Amichai Stein (@AmichaiStein1) August 4, 2018

Maduro assasination attempt by exploding drone. Wait and watch the soldiers scatter >>> https://t.co/g5cl1QKOag

— ? (@Anthony) August 5, 2018

This seems a somewhat desperate attention-grabbing plot twist, even by LatAm's fantastical standards… #penningthedictator Venezuelan president Nicolás Maduro survives drone assassination attempthttps://t.co/EsFHswpmka

— Elinor Comlay (@ElinorComlay) August 4, 2018

NBC News isn’t committing to anything just yet.

DEVELOPING: Venezuelan television transmission shows President Nicolas Maduro abruptly cutting short a speech, and soldiers seen running before the transmission was cut off, AP and Reuters report.

— NBC News (@NBCNews) August 4, 2018

Reuters: While Maduro was speaking about Venezuela’s economy, the audio suddenly went. He and others on the podium suddenly looked up, looking startled. The camera then panned to scores of soldiers who started running, before the transmission was cut.

— NBC News (@NBCNews) August 4, 2018

Associated Press: Info Minister Rodriguez said in a live broadcast that several drone-like devices with explosives detonated near President Maduro, and he is safe, but 7 people were injured.

Firefighters near the scene are disputing the government’s version of events.

— NBC News (@NBCNews) August 4, 2018

So firefighters are disputing the government’s story? Was it an assassination attempt, terrorism, or maybe just a gas explosion? We’ll have to wait to hear more.