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News > Latin America

Venezuelans Explain What Actually Happened During Congress Spat

  • Lawmakers and journalists left the National Assembly after an event to commemorate Independence Day in Venezuela.

    Lawmakers and journalists left the National Assembly after an event to commemorate Independence Day in Venezuela. | Photo: EFE

Published 6 July 2017
Opinion

On Wednesday, a group of government supporters entered the building of the National Assembly and confronted opposition lawmakers.

Venezuelans who were outside of the National Assembly on Wednesday when a group of government supporters clashed with opposition lawmakers and security personnel have spoken out about their experience.

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The clash, which occurred during an event to commemorate Venezuelan Independence Day, left eight people injured and property damaged.

Prior to the incident, a group of government supporters held a peaceful demonstration outside of the legislative building. Protesters were allegedly attacked by private security guards who protect the opposition lawmakers.

"We were here peacefully to deliver a document to the president of the National Assembly to call out all of the deaths in the country," protester Doris Ortiz told reporters.

"We were then attacked."

At least 94 people have died since opposition-led protests aimed at toppling the government began in early April. Tensions have intensified as right‐wing National Assembly leaders have called on citizens to boycott the call for a National Constituent Assembly, summoned by President Nicolas Maduro to restore peace.

Ortiz added that a group of three young men who entered the building with their requests were brutally hit in their legs and elbows. The victims, according to VTV, are currently being treated at a nearby hospital.

"We are here protesting against those who have hidden our food, who are committing terrorist acts, who act against the people, who are looting, who are burning, who are vandalizing," an unnamed protester wrote on his Twitter account amid the spat.

"We are here, we are not leaving."

During a parade honoring the heroes of Venezuelan independence, President Nicolas Maduro condemned the clash and ordered an investigation into the incident.

"Peace, I want peace for Venezuela. I do not accept violence from anyone. Let the world and the people know it. Investigate and tell the truth," he said.

"I will never be an accomplice to any type of violence."

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Maduro also slammed the right‐wing opposition for their double standard on condemning attacks amid ongoing protests.

"I would like the opposition to condemn the acts of violence when they attack military units," Maduro said.

"Or when they assault children's and maternal hospitals. I would like the right wing to condemn the terrorist attack with bombs and bullets from a criminal we are trying to capture, where he almost killed children, women and workers."

Earlier this week, Venezuela's Supreme Court named a new Deputy Attorney General. She is Katherine Harrington, who previously served as a vice minister for criminal investigations. The court annulled Attorney General Luisa Ortega Diaz's own appointment of Rafael Gonzalez to the Deputy Attorney General post, on the grounds that it had not been approved by the Supreme Court.

The Supreme Court has been holding an open preliminary hearing on Ortega Diaz, who is facing accusations of misconduct from a legislator.

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