Socialist hardliner aims gun on Guaidó march in Venezuela

Caracas, Venezuela (AP) — Socialist hardliners in Venezuela opened fire during a march headed by Juan Guaidó, injuring a 16-year-old demonstrator and adding to tensions in the country as the opposition leader seeks to revive his campaign to oust Nicolás Maduro.

A photo of the confrontation shows a masked man brandishing a pistol pointed toward a group of opposition activists, including Guaidó, who can be seen staring down the unidentified man.

The confusing incident Saturday in the central city of Barquisimeto is believed to be the first time pro-government vigilantes known as colectivos have aimed a weapon at Guaidó, who the U.S. and more than 50 other countries recognize as Venezuela’s rightful leader following Maduro’s re-election in 2018 in a race the opposition says was marred by irregularities.

The city’s former mayor and opposition activist Alfredo Ramos said the marchers led by Guaidó were “ambushed”by about 200 colectivo members and government security forces loyal to Maduro.

Ramos said worse bloodshed was avoided because the unidentified man did not open fire at that moment.

But later, as the crowd swelled, a 16-year-old demonstrator was shot in the leg and several others were roughed up as the colectivos harassed participants.

“Courage and strength,” Guaidó said in a conversation with the injured activist that was videotaped by his aides while their caravan headed back to Caracas. “We’re going to achieve freedom for our country.”

Later, the opposition leader reiterated a call for supporters to take to the streets on March 10.

“It’s time to increase decisively and without fear the actions and pressure on the tyranny headed by Maduro,” he said in a statement.

There was no immediate comment from the Maduro government.

The AP was not present at the rally so was unable to verify the lawmakers’ account. The photo of the gunman aiming at Guaido was provided to The Associated Press by the opposition leader’s team.

An opposition lawmaker from the region, Daniel Antequera, said the march through poor neighborhoods drew surprisingly strong support. It lasted about an hour with the armed groups meeting them at various points, he said. They pressed on believing the gunfire was going into the air — until learning that the teen was shot.

“They won’t be able to stop an entire country that is starving and that understands the only way to progress is through democracy and liberty,” said Antequera, who visited the boy in the hospital.

Dimitris Pantoulas, a Caracas-based political analyst, said the incident underscores the forceful role being played in Venezuela by the colectivos.