Video Contradicts Trump Admin Claim That Maduro Burned Aid To Venezuela, Says NYT
An opposition protester in Venezuela appears to have been responsible for setting a convoy of humanitarian aid on fire, despite members of the Trump administration blaming members of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro’s administration, The New York Times reported Sunday.
The news outlet obtained previously unpublished footage that appeared to show a reconstruction of the incident from last month. Video suggests an anti-government protester threw a Molotov cocktail that “accidentally” ignited the truck carrying aid.
The footage shows the homemade bomb being thrown toward police, who were blocking a bridge connecting Colombia and Venezuela, the Times reported. But video obtained by the Times reportedly shows a rag used in the weapon separating from the bottle, and flying toward the truck.
The same protester can be seen throwing a Molotov cocktail at another truck 20 minutes earlier, the Times reported.
Vice President Pence tweeted at the time that Maduro danced as his “henchmen murdered civilians & burned food & medicine heading to Venezuelans.”
A State Department video also blamed Maduro for ordering the destruction the supplies.
