An explosive device detonated late Saturday at the Venezuelan consulate in Lisbon, causing damage but no injuries. The attack occurred when the consulate was closed, prompting a swift condemnation from the Portuguese government and raising concerns about diplomatic security.
On January 13, 2025, at approximately 10:00 PM local time, an explosive device was thrown at the Venezuelan consulate in Lisbon. Local authorities reported that the device resembled a Molotov cocktail, which caused damage to the exterior of the building but fortunately did not result in any injuries, as the consulate was closed at the time.
Prime Minister Luís Montenegro’s government has ordered an immediate investigation and increased security around diplomatic facilities.
This attack comes just a day after Nicolás Maduro was sworn in for a new six-year term, following elections that have been widely criticized for their legitimacy. Both Maduro and opposition candidate Edmundo González Urrutia claimed victory in the July 2024 elections, which have been a source of ongoing political strife in Venezuela.
In Portugal, there is a significant Venezuelan community, estimated at around 10,000 individuals, many of whom have protested against Maduro’s regime and supported González Urrutia.
