By Silene Ramirez
Caracas: Pipe-wielding government supporters burst into Venezuela's opposition-controlled congress on Wednesday, witnesses said, attacking MPs and journalists in the latest flare-up of violence in the nation's political crisis.
By late afternoon, a crowd of roughly 100 people was still besieging the building. Some of those outside brandished pistols and shouted they would cut water and power supplies.
The crowd had gathered from early morning outside the National Assembly building in downtown Caracas, chanting in support of President Nicolas Maduro. Suddenly, several dozen people ran past the gates with pipes, sticks and stones and went on the attack.
They injured at least three opposition MPs, who stumbled bloodied and dazed around the assembly's corridors, witnesses said. Some journalists were reportedly robbed.
A masked man kicks at opposition lawmaker Franco Casella in a melee with supposed government supporters who tried to forced their way into the National Assembly on Wednesday.Credit: AP
The worst-hurt MP, Federico De Grazia, was hit on the head, fell unconscious and was eventually taken by stretcher to an ambulance. His family later said he was out of critical condition.
"This is Venezuela today," said Freddy Guevara, the assembly vice-president and opposition leader. "Criminals attack the National Assembly, the armed forces are complicit in this madness, but the people and the lawmakers resist and advance."
Throughout the day, explosions apparently from fireworks were occasionally heard around the congress building.
Downtown Caracas is a traditional stronghold for the government and there has been a string of melees there since the opposition thrashed the ruling Socialist Party in December 2015 parliamentary elections.
A bodyguard watches over opposition lawmaker Americo De Grazia, who was injured in a melee with pro-government militia members.Credit: AP
"We're kidnapped," said opposition MP William Davila from inside congress, where politicians were transmitting events live from their telephones.
In a speech during a military parade for Independence Day, Mr Maduro condemned the "strange" violence in the assembly and asked for an investigation. But he also challenged the opposition to speak out about violence from its own ranks.
Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro at a military parade commemorating the country's Independence Day in Caracas.Credit: AP
During three months of anti-government unrest in which at least 90 people have died, young demonstrators have frequently attacked security forces with stones, homemade mortars and Molotov cocktails, and burned property. They killed one man by dousing him in gasoline and setting him on fire.
"I want peace for Venezuela," Mr Maduro said. "I don't accept violence from anyone."
Opposition lawmakers brawl with pro-government militias who are trying to force their way into the Venezuelan National Assembly.Credit: AP
Mexico, Colombia and Britain expressed outrage at Wednesday's events. "I condemn the grotesque attack on the Venezuelan assembly," tweeted British ambassador John Saville.
Venezuela's opposition is demanding general elections to end socialist rule and solutions to the OPEC nation's brutal economic crisis. The government says its foes are seeking a violent coup with US support.
Members of the Bolivarian National Guard march during a military parade marking the country's Independence Day in Caracas.Credit: AP
Earlier, a Venezuelan police officer who staged a helicopter attack on government buildings in Caracas last week appeared in an internet video vowing to continue fighting.
"Once again we are in Caracas, ready and willing to continue our struggle for the liberation of our country," police pilot Oscar Perez said in the video, wearing a military uniform and wool cap, with a Venezuelan flag and rifle behind him.
National Assembly workers run from an attack by pro-government militia members. Credit: AP
Mr Perez had not been seen since he hijacked a helicopter last week and flew through Caracas pulling a "Freedom" banner. He opened fire and dropped grenades on the Interior Ministry and Supreme Court but nobody was injured.
Mr Maduro, 54, the successor to Hugo Chavez, called that attack a terrorist assault to overthrow him and lambasted Western nations for not condemning it.
Mr Perez, who has portrayed himself as a James Bond-cum-Rambo figure on social media, starred in a 2015 movie about the rescue of a kidnapped businessman.
Reuters