Venezuelan President Maduro says far-right activists tried to assassinate him during a speech, but firefighters at the scene say it was just a gas tank explosion

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• Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro cut a speech short on Saturday after a loud noise kicked off panic in the crowd.
• Maduro is safe, officials say, but several people are injured.
• Venezuela's government is saying the loud noise was from an attempted attack on Maduro, but firefighters on the scene are disputing that story.

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CARACAS, Venezuela (AP) — Drones armed with explosives detonated near Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro as he gave a speech to hundreds of soldiers in Caracas on Saturday but the socialist leader was unharmed, according to the government.

Seven people were injured in the apparent attack which came as Maduro celebrated the National Guard's 81st anniversary, said Information Minister Jorge Rodriguez. Maduro's speech was abruptly cut short and soldiers could be seen breaking ranks and scattering.

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