Venezuela vows to 'root out' plots after Maduro drone 'assassination' bid

Venezuelan authorities vowed today to "root out" plots against President Nicolas Maduro after what they said was a weekend drone "assassination" bid backed by Colombia.

An accusation by Maduro that his Colombian counterpart Juan Manuel Santos was behind the incident has worsened already fraught ties between Caracas and Bogota.

Santos, who hands over power to elected successor Ivan Duque tomorrow, has categorically rejected the accusation. His government has labelled it "absurd." A live broadcast of the incident on Venezuelan state television showed Maduro interrupted in mid-speech by an explosion and looking up in confusion.

Dozens of soldiers on parade are then seen breaking ranks and running away in panic.

Maduro and his government said the president had been targeted by two flying drones carrying explosives. But details of the incident remain unclear, with conflicting information coming from various sources.

The Maduro administration blamed the alleged attack on Colombia, working with the "ultra far-right" Venezuelan opposition, and financed by unnamed figures in the US state of Florida.

No evidence was given to support the allegations. Thousands of exiled Venezuelans live in Colombia and in Florida.

Maduro's critics said they feared the Venezuelan government would now step up repression of the opposition and dissidents.

Venezuelan Attorney General Tarek William Saab told a news conference on Monday that several suspects were in custody and authorities would track down all those who conspire against public peace."