Venezuela foils coup plot by group of soldiers: defense minister

Venezuelan Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino Friday condemned a coup attempt by a group of air force officers who had been arrested on evidence of planned military actions designed to overthrow the government.

"We would like to express the armed forces' strongest condemnation of this incident," Padrino said in a nationally televised broadcast.

On Thursday, Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro announced his government uncovered a Washington-backed coup attempt that sought to attack the presidential palace with a military jet and trigger a military uprising.

The United States dismissed the claim on Friday.

"These latest accusations, like all previous such accusations, are ludicrous," said U.S. State Department spokeswoman Jen Psaki.

"As a matter of long-standing policy, the United States does not support political transitions by non-constitutional means. Political transitions must be democratic, constitutional, peaceful and legal," said Psaki.

The foiled coup was planned to coincide with Feb. 12, the one-year anniversary of violent anti-government protests organized by Venezuela's right-wing extremists, Venezuelan authorities said.

The plan "came from a small number of officers that do not represent the thoughts, sentiments and actions of our institution," Padrino added.

"We will not allow our sovereignty to be undermined," said Padrino, adding the plan had been uncovered in time by members of the military loyal to the country.

The armed forces "reiterate their unconditional support and absolute loyalty" to the nation's president and "affirm their commitment to the Constitution (and) the will of the people," said Padrino. Endit