Bodyguards and soldiers shield Venezuelan President during a drone attack on August 4, 2018. (Photo: VNA)

The Presidents survived an attack by what was described as an explosive drone during a speech to celebrate the 81st anniversary of the National Guard in Caracas on Saturday.

The group calling itself the “National Movement of Soldiers in T-Shirts” said it was behind the explosion in a statement posted on YouTube.

The Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs strongly condemned the attack, calling it an attempt to destabilize Venezuela. Syria voiced solidarity with the people and leadership of its ally Venezuela and called for people to respect sovereignty and refrain from meddling in domestic affairs.