The Venezuelan Government accuses TAP of violating “international standards”, for allowing the transport of explosives and for hiding the identity of the opposition leader, Juan Guaidó, on a flight to Caracas.
Venezuelan authorities also accuse the Portuguese ambassador in Caracas, Carlos Sousa Amaro, of interfering in Venezuela’s internal affairs, by interceding for Juan Guaidó’s uncle, Juan Marquez, who was arrested on Tuesday when he landed on the same TAP flight, accused of carrying explosives.
According to the Venezuelan Government, Juan Marquez, who accompanied his nephew Juan Guaidó, carried “tactical pocket lanterns” that hid “explosive chemicals in the battery compartment ”.
Thus, the Venezuelan authorities consider that TAP, on this flight between Lisbon and Caracas, violated international security standards, allowing explosives, and also concealed the identity of the self-proclaimed interim President of Venezuela, Juan Guaidó, on the passenger list, although airport security is not the responsibility of the transport companies.
Questioned by Lusa, TAP declined to comment on the allegation.
Juan Marquez is also accused of having loaded other explosives in perfume capsules and a bulletproof vest, as well as a disguised USB on the remote controls of a vehicle, with alleged “attack plans”.
For these charges, Marquez was detained at the headquarters of the Military Counterinformation Directorate in Caracas and is due to be transferred to a court in La Guaira, a coastal city in Venezuela.
