Seven Venezuelan military officers have been killed when their helicopter crashed while heading to a state where President Nicolas Maduro appeared alongside troops Saturday.

The Cougar helicopter hurtled into a mountain outside Caracas in the early hours of an overcast day in the capital.

REP. ILHAN OMAR FIRES BACK AT VP PENCE FOR SAYING SHE 'DOESN'T KNOW WHAT SHE'S TALKING ABOUT' AMID VENEZUELA REMARKS

The armed forces in a statement said the chopper was heading to San Carlos in Cojedes state. That's an hour away from a military academy where Maduro appeared early Saturday overseeing training exercises in a display of confidence in his armed forces following a week of intrigue that saw a small cadre of soldiers turn against him in an opposition-led uprising.

CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP

On board were two lieutenant colonels as well as five lower-ranking officers.

The statement didn't say if the chopper was part of the presidential delegations.