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Technology

Radio jammers saved Venezuela's president from deadly drone attack

By David Hambling

6 August 2018

New Scientist. Science news and long reads from expert journalists, covering developments in science, technology, health and the environment on the website and the magazine.

President Nicolas Maduro was speaking when the attack took place

Xinhua/REX/Shutterstock

Radio jamming systems apparently thwarted an attempted presidential assassination with improvised drone bombs in Venezuela.

On Saturday 4th August, President Nicolas Maduro’s speech at an outdoor rally was interrupted by two explosions. Seven soldiers on parade were injured, three critically.

Others scattered while bodyguards rushed to protect the president with bulletproof shields. Witnesses reported seeing two multicopter drones which crashed into a nearby apartment building and exploded.

Interior and Justice Minister Nestor Reverol announced later on television that the attack was carried out with two DJI Matrice 600…

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