Cause of Venezuelan chopper crash is under investigation

Cause of Venezuelan chopper crash is under investigation
An opponent to Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro, his face the colors of the Venezuelan national flag and the Spanish word for "Freedom" written on his forehead, takes part in a march in Caracas, Venezuela, Saturday, May 4, 2019. Opposition leader Juan Guaido took his quest to win over Venezuela's troops back to the streets, calling his supporters to participate in an outreach to soldiers outside military installations across the country. (AP Photo/Martin Mejia)

CARACAS, Venezuela (AP) — Venezuelan authorities are investigating the cause of a helicopter crash that killed seven military officers while they were while heading to a state where President Nicolás Maduro was visiting troops.

The crash of the Cougar helicopter outside Caracas on Saturday followed days of upheaval during which opposition leader Juan Guaidó called in vain for a military uprising to overthrow Maduro, and five people were killed in clashes between protesters and police.

The armed forces say the chopper that crashed was heading to San Carlos in Cojedes state, near a military base where Maduro addressed cadets on Saturday. The statement doesn’t say if the chopper was part of the presidential delegation.

The Venezuelan opposition plans a memorial service later Sunday for those killed in street fighting over the past week.