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Scuffles, Tear Gas and Doused Lights: Venezuela’s National Assembly Opens for Business Scuffles, Tear Gas and Doused Lights: Venezuela’s National Assembly Opens for Business
(about 1 hour later)
CARACAS — Venezuela’s National Assembly erupted into chaos on Tuesday as opposition lawmakers took their seats to begin the new year’s session, but only after forcing their way through a phalanx of government soldiers.CARACAS — Venezuela’s National Assembly erupted into chaos on Tuesday as opposition lawmakers took their seats to begin the new year’s session, but only after forcing their way through a phalanx of government soldiers.
National Guardsmen in body armor initially prevented Juan Guaidó, the leader of the country’s opposition, from entering the building along with his supporters.National Guardsmen in body armor initially prevented Juan Guaidó, the leader of the country’s opposition, from entering the building along with his supporters.
“Here the people rule!” the legislators cried as they pushed through the heavy wooden doors and installed Mr. Guaidó at the front of the assembly’s main hall.“Here the people rule!” the legislators cried as they pushed through the heavy wooden doors and installed Mr. Guaidó at the front of the assembly’s main hall.
It was an exceptionally turbulent morning, even for a nation that is becoming increasingly accustomed to high-stakes political drama. And it did little to resolve Venezuela’s political tumult: The country, which is facing a worsening humanitarian crisis, has two men claiming the presidency and two men claiming the leadership of the assembly.It was an exceptionally turbulent morning, even for a nation that is becoming increasingly accustomed to high-stakes political drama. And it did little to resolve Venezuela’s political tumult: The country, which is facing a worsening humanitarian crisis, has two men claiming the presidency and two men claiming the leadership of the assembly.
On Tuesday, the legislature’s first meeting of the year deteriorated into a melee in which, according to Mr. Guaidó’s press office, four opposition legislators were injured. The National Guard also launched tear gas at Mr. Guaidó and other opposition members as they made their way to the building.On Tuesday, the legislature’s first meeting of the year deteriorated into a melee in which, according to Mr. Guaidó’s press office, four opposition legislators were injured. The National Guard also launched tear gas at Mr. Guaidó and other opposition members as they made their way to the building.
With the lights of the chamber out, Mr. Guaidó stood at front of the assembly hall, taking the oath as head of legislature, and opening the year’s legislative session.With the lights of the chamber out, Mr. Guaidó stood at front of the assembly hall, taking the oath as head of legislature, and opening the year’s legislative session.
But he fled through basement, along with some legislators and reporters, when members of colectivos — the armed civilians band that back the government and are known for violence — were allowed into the building. But he fled through the basement, along with some legislators and reporters, when members of colectivos — the armed civilians band that back the government and are known for violence — were allowed into the building.
It was the second time Tuesday that a self-proclaimed assembly president opened a legislative session only to flee the building.It was the second time Tuesday that a self-proclaimed assembly president opened a legislative session only to flee the building.
In the early morning, Mr. Guaidó’s rival, Luis Parra, launched assembly proceedings, but left before the opposition lawmakers pushed their way in.In the early morning, Mr. Guaidó’s rival, Luis Parra, launched assembly proceedings, but left before the opposition lawmakers pushed their way in.
The confrontation on Tuesday followed a weekend in which Venezuela’s opposition accused forces loyal to the country’s authoritarian president, Nicolás Maduro, of staging a takeover of the assembly in a bid to consolidate Mr. Maduro’s grip on the country.The confrontation on Tuesday followed a weekend in which Venezuela’s opposition accused forces loyal to the country’s authoritarian president, Nicolás Maduro, of staging a takeover of the assembly in a bid to consolidate Mr. Maduro’s grip on the country.
On Sunday, government forces prevented Mr. Guaidó and some of his allies from entering the assembly for a vote to decide who would lead the body. That left pro-government legislators free to elect Mr. Parra, one of their own, to the post.On Sunday, government forces prevented Mr. Guaidó and some of his allies from entering the assembly for a vote to decide who would lead the body. That left pro-government legislators free to elect Mr. Parra, one of their own, to the post.
Later that day, the opposition held their own vote, electing Mr. Guaidó, and leaving the country with two leaders of the assembly.Later that day, the opposition held their own vote, electing Mr. Guaidó, and leaving the country with two leaders of the assembly.
It was a significant blow to those seeking change in Venezuela.It was a significant blow to those seeking change in Venezuela.
In a nation increasingly controlled by Mr. Maduro, the assembly had been the last institution run by his critics. And Mr. Guaidó had been the body’s head — a position that, last year, gave him legal cover to call Mr. Maduro’s most recent election a fraud and claim for himself the interim presidency of the country.In a nation increasingly controlled by Mr. Maduro, the assembly had been the last institution run by his critics. And Mr. Guaidó had been the body’s head — a position that, last year, gave him legal cover to call Mr. Maduro’s most recent election a fraud and claim for himself the interim presidency of the country.
Mr. Guaidó received international recognition from dozens of countries, and rallied many Venezuelans to his side. But a year later, his position as head of the legislature — and his claim to the presidency — appear to be increasingly tenuous.Mr. Guaidó received international recognition from dozens of countries, and rallied many Venezuelans to his side. But a year later, his position as head of the legislature — and his claim to the presidency — appear to be increasingly tenuous.