Venezuela’s opposition attacked by mob

VENEZUELA’S opposition-led National Assembly was yesterday stormed by armed government supporters who allegedly fired shots and hurled missiles at politicians.

Militant Chavista groups barricaded the building as lawmakers held a special session for Venezuela’s Independence Day.

At around midday, a number forced their way into the chamber and allegedly bombarded the politicians with blunt objects. There were also some reports of detonations, apparently of pyrotechnics.

At least five opposition politicians were injured. Images broadcast from inside the National Assembly showed them with bloody wounds to the head and upper body. A number of journalists were reportedly also attacked.

The assault on the Assembly followed its announcement on Monday of a July 16 plebiscite on the Socialist government of Nicolas Maduro and his drive to tear up Venezuela’s constitution – a move that has cost him the support of some of the Bolivarian Revolution’s staunchest defenders.

Luisa Ortega Diaz, the diehard Chavista attorney general who two years ago jailed opposition leader Leopoldo Lopez, has now joined forces with opposition lawmakers on the plebiscite.

It is aimed at stopping Mr Maduro from convening a people’s assembly to rewrite the constitution on July 30 – a manoeuvre she described as a “coup”. The plebiscite also proposes a unity government and fresh elections.