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Venezuela says Maduro was target of attempted drone attack (updated)
Venezuela President Nicolas Maduro may be the first major leader to have faced a drone-based assassination attempt. Information Minister Jorge Rodriguez claimed that at least one bomb-laden drone had exploded close to Maduro while he was giving a speech at a Caracas event on August 4th. The authoritarian leader was unhurt in the incident, but seven National Guard soldiers were reportedly injured. Video from state TV showed Maduro and officials looking up in a moment of panic before the camera cut away, with the assembled troops running soon afterward.
Venezuela will start its own digital currency to beat sanctions
The authoritarian streak of Venezuela's recent leaders has cost the country dearly. Mismanagement and sanctions have crippled its infrastructure, its money is increasingly worthless and the public is fuming. President Maduro thinks he has a solution, though: creating the country's own cryptocurrency. The "petro" will be backed by Venezuela's key natural resources (diamonds, gas, gold and oil) and, in theory, will help it get around the "financial blockade" imposed by the US and other nations.
Twitter blocks a slew of Venezuela government accounts
Venezuela has been accused of censoring Twitter as part of its bid to silence dissent, but it's not so happy now that the shoe is on the other foot. The country's leadership says that Twitter has suspended 180 accounts linked to the government, including radio and TV outlets in the presidential palace. While it's not clear what prompted the move, officials are furious -- President Maduro claims that Twitter blocked accounts "simply for being Chavistas," or supporters of his late predecessor Hugo Chavez.
