Caracas: Armed civilian groups have attacked the Venezuelan Parliament building after a clash between lawmakers and the military police of the Bolivarian National Guard (GNB), opposition legislator Julio Borges has said.

The clash on Tuesday left at least two female members of parliament injured, Efe news quoted Borges as saying.

According to the National Assembly's Twitter account, opposition lawmaker Delsa Solorzano and several reporters were also injured. "Different lawmakers and Assembly personnel saw (GNB) officers entering (the building) with boxes from the National Election Council... and a clash occurred there between the GNB officers and the lawmakers," Borges said.

As a result, the parliamentary session was interrupted. Borges then proceeded to talk with the officer responsible for the institution's security in order to resolve the conflict.

However, immediately groups of civilians entered through the doors of the National Assembly building, he said. These people launched fireworks rockets and other materials inside the House, according to some videos published on social media. The civilian groups have attacked the front of the building and threatened to enter "by force", the opposition said.

Lawmakers and workers currently remain locked inside the Parliament, the Chamber's press chief Alicia de La Rosa told Efe.

Borges has blamed President Nicolas Maduro for the attack. He said: "Nicolas Maduro... said on Tuesday that if the ballots are no use, then the violence will be, that if the ballots are no use, then the bullets will be."

Borges, however, said that the attack would give "more strength" to parliamentarians to continue fighting for "a democratic and free country". Regarding the boxes from the National Election Council, he indicated that the lawmakers went to see what happened with them, since it was "irregular" to keep such contents in the Legislative building. However, the GNB forces did not allow the parliamentarians to have access to the boxes, Borges said, adding that the troops claimed that the boxes contain data on the validation of political parties.

Venezuela has been facing socio-political upheavals which have been exacerbated by waves of demonstrations, both against and in favour of the government, for three months. Some of these demonstrations have become violent, leaving so far at least 75 people dead and about 1,500 injured, according to data from Venezuela's Prosecutor General's Office. </s> Supporters of President Nicolas Maduro, many wielding pipes, stormed Venezuela’s opposition-led congress on July 5 and attacked lawmakers who oppose the socialist president.

Seven politicians were injured by the mob and some 350 lawmakers, journalists and guests at the Independence Day session were trapped until the siege ended at dusk, National Assembly president Julio Borges told reporters.

“There are bullets, cars destroyed including mine, blood stains around the (congress) palace,” Borges said. “The violence in Venezuela has a name and surname: Nicolas Maduro.”

The mob had gathered just after dawn outside the building in downtown Caracas, Reuters reported. In the late morning, several dozen people ran past the gates with pipes, sticks and stones and went on the attack.

Several injured lawmakers stumbled bloodied and dazed around the assembly’s corridors. Some journalists were robbed, the report said.

After the morning attack, a crowd of roughly 100 people, many dressed in red and shouting “Long Live The Revolution!” trapped people inside for hours, witnesses said.

Some in the crowd outside the National Assembly building brandished pistols, threatened to cut water and power supplies, and played an audio of late socialist president Hugo Chavez saying “Tremble, oligarchy!”

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Login To Your FaceBook to Make Comments </s> Seven opposition politicians were injured Wednesday during a violent attack on Venezuela’s democratically-elected National Assembly. The attacks, led by supporters of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, took place as the rest of the country celebrated their nation’s annual Independence Day. The assembly’s president, Julio Borges, said around 350 politicians, journalists, and guests were trapped inside by protesters, who attacked from dawn to dusk. Opposition lawmaker Americo De Grazia suffered the most severe injury after being knocked unconscious. He was initially said to be in critical condition, but his family later reported that his health had improved. After gathering outside the National Assembly in downtown Caracas, a group of several dozen protesters stormed inside the building, carrying pipes, sticks, and stones. In addition to bloody attacks on lawmakers, several journalists were assaulted and robbed. Later in the day, a crowd of around 100 protesters gathered at the scene, shouting “Long live the revolution!” Some of them carried pistols, while others threw fireworks into the assembly building. At one point, protesters played an audio recording of former Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez saying, “Tremble, oligarchy!” Borges described the scene as full of bullets, blood stains, and damaged cars, including his own. He added: “The violence in Venezuela has a name and surname: Nicolas Maduro.”

Maduro has indeed been at the heart of Venezuela’s recent string of violent protests, which have killed at least 90 people and injured thousands since April. On the one hand, opposition protesters accuse Maduro of jailing opposition leaders, censoring news outlets, and delaying the nation’s democratic elections. Many also hold Maduro responsible for Venezuela’s economic and humanitarian crisis, which has resulted in triple-digit inflation and dire shortages of food and medicine. On the other hand, Maduro has accused protesters of waging a U.S.-backed coup against his government. In response to Wednesday’s attack, the U.S. State Department released a statement calling it “an assault on the democratic principles cherished by the men and women who struggled for Venezuela’s independence 206 years ago today.” The department added that the Venezuelan government must “immediately provide for the protection of the National Assembly, ensure those injured in today’s attack are able to receive medical attention, and bring the attackers to justice.” At a Wednesday military parade, Maduro called for an investigation into the “strange” violence. “I want peace for Venezuela,” he told the crowd. “I don’t accept violence from anyone.” The statement seemed to contradict his comments last week, when he declared his willingness to take up arms against opposition protesters. “If Venezuela was plunged into chaos and violence and the Bolivarian Revolution destroyed, we would go to combat,” Maduro said at the time. “We would never give up, and what couldn’t be done with votes, we would do with weapons.”

Last week, the Venezuelan government was a victim of their own attack when a rogue police officer-slash-actor dropped grenades and opened fire on the nation’s Interior Ministry and Supreme Court. While no one was injured, Maduro immediately condemned the attack as “an act of terrorism” and a conspiracy to overthrow his government. Around the time of the attack, the perpetrator—36-year-old Oscar Pérez—appeared in an internet video, announcing his mission to resist the “impunity” and “tyranny” of the Venezuelan government. On Wednesday, Pérez appeared in a second online video, where he argued that his attack was “perfectly achieved.” While Pérez was initially being hunted down by Venezuelan special forces, he claimed in the video to have made his way back to Caracas after landing on the Caribbean coast. His attack on the Supreme Court did not result in any casualties, he said, “because it was planned, because we are not murderers like you, Mr. Nicolas Maduro.” Before violence ensued on Wednesday, opposition lawmakers gathered to discuss a July 16 plebiscite that will allow Venezuelans to express their level of confidence in Maduro’s governance. Citizens will also be given the chance to comment on Maduro’s call to rewrite the nation’s constitution, which opposition members see as a ploy for Maduro to retain control of Venezuela following the end of his term in 2019. Despite Wednesday’s attack, the vice president of the National Assembly, Freddy Guevara, told a local TV station that lawmakers would resume their discussion as planned. </s> Caracas, June 28 Armed civilian groups have attacked the Venezuelan Parliament building after a clash between lawmakers and the military police of the Bolivarian National Guard , opposition legislator Julio Borges has said. "Different lawmakers and Assembly personnel saw officers entering with boxes from the National Election Council and a clash occurred there between the GNB officers and the lawmakers," Borges said.

Start the conversation, or Read more at India.com. </s> CARACAS, Venezuela (AP) - President Nicolas Maduro has accused two opposition legislators of having roles in the drone attack that Venezuelan officials have called an assassination attempt on the leader, and his allies are moving against the accused.

The head of Venezuela's pro-government constitutional assembly said he would have the body take up a proposal Wednesday to strip the lawmakers of their immunity from prosecution.

During a national television broadcast Tuesday night, Maduro said statements from some of the six suspects already arrested in the weekend attack pointed to key financiers and others, including Julio Borges, one of the country's most prominent opposition leaders who is a lawmaker but is living in exile in Colombia.

"Several of the declarations indicated Julio Borges. The investigations point to him," Maduro said, though he provided no details on Borges' alleged role.

Borges did not immediately comment on Maduro's accusation.

The president also named opposition lawmaker Juan Requesens, who was seen in a video widely circulating on social media being arrested by Venezuela's political police force.

Critics of Maduro's socialist government had said immediately after the attack that they feared the unpopular leader would use the incident as an excuse to round up opposition politicians as he seeks to dampen spreading discontent over Venezuela's devastating economic collapse.

In the attack, two drones armed with explosives detonated near Maduro as he spoke outdoors during a military celebration Saturday evening. Images on live television showed Maduro and his wife looking up at the sky at one blast and then hundreds of soldiers scrambling.

Prosecutors have arrested six people who face charges of treason, attempted murder and terrorism.

As elected lawmakers, Borges and Requesens enjoy immunity from prosecution under Venezuelan law. But Diosdado Cabello, the powerful socialist party leader and president of the National Constitutional Assembly, said in a tweet that he planned to introduce legislation stripping lawmakers of this protection.

The events come as Venezuela's economy continues to hemorrhage and thousands flee to neighboring nations seeking food and medical care. Maduro has grown increasingly isolated, with the United States and other foreign powers slapping economic sanctions on a growing list of high-ranking Venezuelan officials and criticizing his government as an autocratic regime.

The International Monetary Fund projects inflation could top 1 million percent by year's end.

Maduro spoke for two hours from the Miraflores Presidential Palace in a presentation using polished videos showing suspects and images of the drones exploding. One video included a purported confession by one handcuffed suspect, whose face was blurred out as explained the plot.

Maduro also held up military hats worn by soldiers with holes in them from debris the explosion. Several soldiers seated in the audience had white bandages on their heads, apparently injured in the assassination attempt.

The president also displayed wanted posters with names and pictures of other suspects who he said are living in the United States and Colombia.

Maduro said he would provide evidence to officials in both countries and ask for their cooperation handing over suspects who helped orchestrate and finance the attack.

"I want to explain to the government of the United States and the government of Colombia in detail all the evidence that leads us to accomplices and direct responsible living in the state of Florida," Maduro said. "I trust in the good faith of Donald Trump." </s> CARACAS, Venezuela (AP) - President Nicolas Maduro has accused two opposition legislators of having roles in the drone attack that Venezuelan officials have called an assassination attempt on the leader, and his allies are moving against the accused.

The head of Venezuela’s pro-government constitutional assembly said he would have the body take up a proposal Wednesday to strip the lawmakers of their immunity from prosecution.

During a national television broadcast Tuesday night, Maduro said statements from some of the six suspects already arrested in the weekend attack pointed to key financiers and others, including Julio Borges, one of the country’s most prominent opposition leaders who is a lawmaker but is living in exile in Colombia.

“Several of the declarations indicated Julio Borges. The investigations point to him,” Maduro said, though he provided no details on Borges’ alleged role.

Borges did not immediately comment on Maduro’s accusation.

The president also named opposition lawmaker Juan Requesens, who was seen in a video widely circulating on social media being arrested by Venezuela’s political police force.

Critics of Maduro’s socialist government had said immediately after the attack that they feared the unpopular leader would use the incident as an excuse to round up opposition politicians as he seeks to dampen spreading discontent over Venezuela’s devastating economic collapse.

In the attack, two drones armed with explosives detonated near Maduro as he spoke outdoors during a military celebration Saturday evening. Images on live television showed Maduro and his wife looking up at the sky at one blast and then hundreds of soldiers scrambling.

Prosecutors have arrested six people who face charges of treason, attempted murder and terrorism.

As elected lawmakers, Borges and Requesens enjoy immunity from prosecution under Venezuelan law. But Diosdado Cabello, the powerful socialist party leader and president of the National Constitutional Assembly, said in a tweet that he planned to introduce legislation stripping lawmakers of this protection.

The events come as Venezuela’s economy continues to hemorrhage and thousands flee to neighboring nations seeking food and medical care. Maduro has grown increasingly isolated, with the United States and other foreign powers slapping economic sanctions on a growing list of high-ranking Venezuelan officials and criticizing his government as an autocratic regime.

The International Monetary Fund projects inflation could top 1 million percent by year’s end.

Maduro spoke for two hours from the Miraflores Presidential Palace in a presentation using polished videos showing suspects and images of the drones exploding. One video included a purported confession by one handcuffed suspect, whose face was blurred out as explained the plot.

Maduro also held up military hats worn by soldiers with holes in them from debris the explosion. Several soldiers seated in the audience had white bandages on their heads, apparently injured in the assassination attempt.

The president also displayed wanted posters with names and pictures of other suspects who he said are living in the United States and Colombia.

Maduro said he would provide evidence to officials in both countries and ask for their cooperation handing over suspects who helped orchestrate and finance the attack.

“I want to explain to the government of the United States and the government of Colombia in detail all the evidence that leads us to accomplices and direct responsible living in the state of Florida,” Maduro said. “I trust in the good faith of Donald Trump.” </s> The pro-government legislature voted unanimously for the move, the local AVN news agency said. Borges responded by calling the decision a "farce" and accused authorities of kidnapping Requesens.

READ MORE: Venezuelan Opposition Lawmakers May Lose Immunity Over Links to Attack on Maduro

Maduro initially blamed Colombia for organizing an assassination attempt on him during a public speech last week when two explosives-laden drones went off next to his stand. Several people were injured but the president escaped unhurt. </s> CARACAS, Venezuela (AP) — President Nicolas Maduro has accused two opposition legislators of having roles in the drone attack that Venezuelan officials have called an assassination attempt on the leader, and his allies are moving against the accused.

The head of Venezuela’s pro-government constitutional assembly said he would have the body take up a proposal Wednesday to strip the lawmakers of their immunity from prosecution.

During a national television broadcast Tuesday night, Maduro said statements from some of the six suspects already arrested in the weekend attack pointed to key financiers and others, including Julio Borges, one of the country’s most prominent opposition leaders who is a lawmaker but is living in exile in Colombia.

“Several of the declarations indicated Julio Borges. The investigations point to him,” Maduro said, though he provided no details on Borges’ alleged role.

Borges did not immediately comment on Maduro’s accusation.

The president also named opposition lawmaker Juan Requesens, who was seen in a video widely circulating on social media being arrested by Venezuela’s political police force.

Critics of Maduro’s socialist government had said immediately after the attack that they feared the unpopular leader would use the incident as an excuse to round up opposition politicians as he seeks to dampen spreading discontent over Venezuela’s devastating economic collapse.

In the attack, two drones armed with explosives detonated near Maduro as he spoke outdoors during a military celebration Saturday evening. Images on live television showed Maduro and his wife looking up at the sky at one blast and then hundreds of soldiers scrambling.

Prosecutors have arrested six people who face charges of treason, attempted murder and terrorism.

As elected lawmakers, Borges and Requesens enjoy immunity from prosecution under Venezuelan law. But Diosdado Cabello, the powerful socialist party leader and president of the National Constitutional Assembly, said in a tweet that he planned to introduce legislation stripping lawmakers of this protection.

The events come as Venezuela’s economy continues to hemorrhage and thousands flee to neighboring nations seeking food and medical care. Maduro has grown increasingly isolated, with the United States and other foreign powers slapping economic sanctions on a growing list of high-ranking Venezuelan officials and criticizing his government as an autocratic regime.

The International Monetary Fund projects inflation could top 1 million percent by year’s end.

Maduro spoke for two hours from the Miraflores Presidential Palace in a presentation using polished videos showing suspects and images of the drones exploding. One video included a purported confession by one handcuffed suspect, whose face was blurred out as explained the plot.

Maduro also held up military hats worn by soldiers with holes in them from debris the explosion. Several soldiers seated in the audience had white bandages on their heads, apparently injured in the assassination attempt.

The president also displayed wanted posters with names and pictures of other suspects who he said are living in the United States and Colombia.

Maduro said he would provide evidence to officials in both countries and ask for their cooperation handing over suspects who helped orchestrate and finance the attack.

“I want to explain to the government of the United States and the government of Colombia in detail all the evidence that leads us to accomplices and direct responsible living in the state of Florida,” Maduro said. “I trust in the good faith of Donald Trump.” </s> Media playback is unsupported on your device Media caption Injured opposition members left the building with bloodied heads

About 100 government supporters have burst into Venezuela's opposition-controlled National Assembly, where they beat up several lawmakers.

Witnesses said the confrontation came after an assembly session to mark the country's Independence Day.

Military police guarding the site stood by as intruders brandishing sticks and pipes broke through the gate, AFP news agency said.

The government has vowed to investigate.

"I will not be complicit in acts of violence," said President Nicolás Maduro.

About 350 people were besieged for hours, including journalists, students and visitors, according to the assembly's speaker Julio Borges.

Mr Borges also named five of the lawmakers injured. Some were taken away for medical treatment, including Deputy Américo De Grazia, who was carried out on a stretcher.

Venezuela has been shaken by often violent protests in recent months and is in economic crisis.

"This does not hurt as much as seeing every day how we are losing our country," deputy Armando Armas told reporters as he got into an ambulance, his head swathed in bloody bandages.

The US state department condemned the violence, calling it "an assault on the democratic principles cherished by the men and women who struggled for Venezuela's independence 206 years ago today".

AFP, whose journalists were at the scene, said reporters were ordered to leave by the attackers, one of whom had a gun.

Image copyright Reuters Image caption The assembly was holding a session to mark the country's Independence Day

Before the intruders rushed the building, Vice-President Tareck El Aissami made an impromptu appearance in the congress with the head of the armed forces, Vladimir Padrino López, and ministers.

Mr El Aissami gave a speech urging the president's supporters to come to the legislature to show support for him.

A crowd had been rallying outside the building for several hours before breaking into the grounds.

A statement from the the ministry of communication said, the government had ordered an investigation "to establish the whole truth, and on that basis, to apply sanctions to those responsible".

What's happening in Venezuela?

Media playback is unsupported on your device Media caption Your video guide to the crisis gripping Venezuela

The country is in a deep economic crisis, made worse by the falling price of oil, which accounts for about 95% of its export revenues and was used to finance some of the government's generous social programmes. Forced to make cuts, Mr Maduro has seen his support fall among core backers

Also, as a result of the crisis, parts of Venezuela face severe shortages of basic supplies such as medicine and food

The opposition accuses Mr Maduro of not only mismanaging the economy but also eroding the country's democratic institutions

In March, the Supreme Court decided it would take over the National Assembly. The decision was reversed, but Mr Maduro was accused by opponents of trying to stage a coup. That sparked almost daily protests calling for his resignation

Meanwhile, Mr Maduro says the opposition is trying to overthrow his government illegally, and blames the country's problems on an "economic war" being waged against him

Just hours before, the attorney general was facing suspension for refusing to appear in court.

Luisa Ortega Díaz has been accused of committing errors in her job, but critics believe she is being targeted after speaking out against the president's reform plans.

Last week, she also criticised Mr Maduro after an incident in which a stolen police helicopter flew over Caracas, dropping grenades and firing shots.

The president called it a "terrorist attack" but Ms Ortega said the country was suffering from "state terrorism".

Media playback is unsupported on your device Media caption The helicopter circles buildings before gunshots and a bang are heard

While Venezuelan security forces later found the abandoned helicopter near the coast, parliamentary speaker Julio Borges said there was a possibility that the incident was a hoax.

On Tuesday, the fugitive policeman who piloted the helicopter, Oscar Pérez, posted a video online saying he was still in Caracas.

He urged Venezuelans to stand firm in the streets in protests against the president.
Supporters of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro storm the opposition-controlled National Assembly and injure several lawmakers, including the President of the National Assembly, Julio Borges. Several journalists were also injured in the assault.