Fugitive Venezuela police pilot pops up at opposition vigil

CARACAS (Reuters) – A rogue Venezuelan police pilot wanted for lobbing grenades and shooting at government buildings appeared briefly at an opposition vigil on Thursday night in a surreal twist to the crisis-worn country’s political drama.

Oscar Perez, 36, who also is an action film star who portrays himself as a James Bond-cum-Rambo figure on social media, surprised opposition supporters by popping up at a Caracas event to mark the deaths of about 100 people related to anti-government unrest that started in April.

“We don’t want any more blood on the streets,” he said.

Perez, flanked by young men clad in balaclavas and surrounded by cameras, said the opposition must continue protesting.

On Sunday, the opposition will hold an unofficial referendum to let Venezuelans have their say on Maduro’s plan to rewrite the constitution.