West attempting a coup in Venezuela – defense minister

Nationwide protests over Maduro’s re-election are part of a US-backed plan, Vladimir Padrino has said

Venezuelan Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino Lopez has accused the Western-backed opposition of attempting a coup in the country, and condemned widespread rioting in the wake of President Nicolas Maduro’s election victory.

Protests erupted after the national electoral authority declared victory for the incumbent president on Monday.