Venezuela's intelligence chief accuses opposition of terrorist acts, assassination

CARACAS, Venezuela, Oct. 12 (UPI) -- The head of Venezuela's Bolivarian Intelligence Service, or SEBIN, has accused some opposition members of terrorist acts and assassination in efforts to remove President Nicolas Maduro from power.

SEBIN Director Gustavo González López, formerly the minister of interior and justice, said on Tuesday Carlos Ocariz, a mayor of the Sucre municipality in the Miranda state, is one of those being investigated over alleged terrorist acts.

González López spoke about two incidents: a video released by the Justice First opposition party which González López said incites military rebellion, and the launch of a grenade at a Venezuelan National Guard post in the Sucre municipality.

"These facts constitute a terrorist escalation," González López said, adding that those involved have already been arrested by the intelligence agency. Ocariz and his administration, including local police, are being investigated to see if they were involved in the grenade attack, González López said.

"All accomplices of these facts are linked directly or indirectly with the mayor of Sucre," González López wrote in a statement.

The intelligence chief also said this year's killings of Ricardo Duran, a prominent Venezuelan pro-government journalist and national award winner, and Gen. Felix Velasquez, a key military commander under late former President Hugo Chavez, were "targeted" assassinations by elements of the opposition.