Maduro Supporters armed with pipes and sticks Storm Venezuela’s Congress

Government supporters armed with pipes and sticks burst into Venezuela’s congress, severely beating several opposition lawmakers as the nation’s political crisis intensified ahead of a key vote to redraft the constitution.

The violence started after dozens of protesters stormed the compound of the opposition-controlled National Assembly in downtown Caracas ahead of a legislative session to mark Venezuela’s independence day.

Lawmakers also were organizing an unofficial July 16 ballot to counter President Nicolás Maduro’s plan to rewrite the constitution, which his critics say is a last-ditch effort by the unpopular leader to forgo elections.

“The dictatorship’s attack cannot go against a people decided on regaining freedom,” opposition lawmaker Armando Armas said in a post on social media after he was left bloodied by protesters. according to witnesses.

The attack drew swift international reaction. “My absolute condemnation of the violent assault on Venezuelan parliament,” Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy said in a message posted on his Twitter profile.

Source: Maduro Supporters Storm Venezuela’s Congress – WSJ