Fugitive Venezuelan Pilot Makes Brazen Public Appearance
By MEGAN SPECIAJULY 14, 2017
Venezuelan authorities have been hunting for Óscar Pérez since late last month after he claimed
that he had been involved in a brazen — and bizarre — attack on two government buildings in Caracas, the capital.
On Thursday night, Mr. Pérez, a former police officer who said he had piloted a stolen helicopter used in the attack, made
an audacious public appearance at an opposition rally in the capital, surrounded by a small number of masked supporters.
that We have two options: to be judged tomorrow by our conscience and the people, or from today to rid ourselves of this corrupt government,
" he said at the rally, which honored the more than 90 people who died during the anti-government protests
that have gripped the country since April. that We will be on the streets defending the people,
JULY 14, 2017
On June 27, a police helicopter swooped down on Caracas
and dropped at least one grenade on the Supreme Court building before someone opened fire on the Interior Ministry building.
He also starred in a low-budget 2015 movie, "Suspended Death." Some Venezuelans assumed
that Mr. Pérez had fled the country, after the helicopter used in the attack was found near the Caribbean coast, according to the police.
Mr. Pérez posted a five-part video manifesto to his Instagram account on the day of the attack, denouncing the government and calling for an uprising.