U.S. Army Mission In Caracas Held Up

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30152, 8 June 1963, Page 14

U.S. Army Mission In Caracas Held Up

(N.Z. Press Association—Copyright) CARACAS (Venezuela), June 5. Eight terrorist gunmen held up the headquarters of the United States Army mission in Caracas today and set fire to the office, the Associated Press reported.

Fourteen Venezuelans and North Americans at the headquarters escaped injury, but were warned by a gunman: “Next time you won't be so lucky.” The gunmen identified themselves as members ot Fuerzas Armadas de Liberation. a pro - Communist, terrorist organisation. The terrorists stripped and gagged five soldiers inside, and then stole some weapons before setting fire to the building and escaping, according to police. United Press International reported. Police said no-one was injured but the building was badly damaged by the time

two fire engines extinguished the blaze.

The American Embassy said that one of the terrorists was dressed as a Venezuelan officer and the rest as enlisted men or civilians.

An Embassy spokesman said the terrorists scrawled the letters F-A-L-N about a dozen times on the building’s walls and patio. He said they destroyed files back to 1946 and stole one pistol and four sub-machine guns.

Several of the terrorists spoke English, the spokesman said. He described them as young, with the oldest about 30 and the youngest a “very nervous” boy of about 17.

The spokesman said all but two American soldiers were fqrced to put their clothing aiid valuables on the floor The terrorists then sprayed the building with petrol and ignited it before escaping in a car, according to the spokesman. The entire raid lasted about 40 minutes.