Bogus tweet sparks fear of coup in Venezuela

on 09/09/2012 10:53:53

Venezuela's National Assembly president said he has recovered control of his Twitter account after it was taken over in a purported online attack that unleashed a series of bogus messages saying a coup was under way.

Diosdado Cabello said on state television that his account has been blocked to prevent more false messages.

He blames political opponents of President Hugo Chavez.

An initial out-of-the-ordinary message on the account had said that factions of the national intelligence agency and the military were rising up against the government.

Other messages called for Mr Chavez's supporters to "defend the revolution" outside the presidential palace.

Mr Cabello is a close Chavez ally.