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| Rolling fistfight erupts in Venezuelan parliament over disputed election | |
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| A brawl has broken out in Venezuela's parliament between government and opposition members, leaving several people injured during an angry session linked to the nation's bitter election dispute. The opposition said seven of its parliamentarians were attacked and hurt when protesting against a measure that blocks them from speaking in the National Assembly because they have refused to recognise Nicolás Maduro's 14 April election as president. Government legislators blamed their "fascist" rivals for starting the violence, which illustrated the volatile state of politics after the death of socialist leader Hugo Chávez in March. "We knew the opposition came to provoke violence," Maduro said of the incident. "This must not be repeated." The 50-year-old Maduro, who was Chávez's chosen successor, defeated opposition candidate Henrique Capriles by 1.5 percentage points. Capriles, 40, has refused to recognise his victory, alleging that thousands of irregularities occurred and the vote was "stolen". The election exposed a nation evenly divided after 14 years of Chávez's hardline socialist rule. "They can beat us, jail us, kill us, but we will not sell out our principles," one of the opposition parliamentarians, Julio Borges, told a local TV station, showing a bruised and bloodied face. "These blows give us more strength." One assembly worker, who asked not to be named, told Reuters the trouble began when opposition legislators shouted "fascist" at the National Assembly leader and unfolded a protest banner reading "parliamentary coup". Government parliamentarians attacked them. Laptops and tables were hurled and one legislator was hit over the head with a chair, the witness said. Workers later had to show their phones to see if they had photos or videos of the incident, the assembly employee said. | A brawl has broken out in Venezuela's parliament between government and opposition members, leaving several people injured during an angry session linked to the nation's bitter election dispute. The opposition said seven of its parliamentarians were attacked and hurt when protesting against a measure that blocks them from speaking in the National Assembly because they have refused to recognise Nicolás Maduro's 14 April election as president. Government legislators blamed their "fascist" rivals for starting the violence, which illustrated the volatile state of politics after the death of socialist leader Hugo Chávez in March. "We knew the opposition came to provoke violence," Maduro said of the incident. "This must not be repeated." The 50-year-old Maduro, who was Chávez's chosen successor, defeated opposition candidate Henrique Capriles by 1.5 percentage points. Capriles, 40, has refused to recognise his victory, alleging that thousands of irregularities occurred and the vote was "stolen". The election exposed a nation evenly divided after 14 years of Chávez's hardline socialist rule. "They can beat us, jail us, kill us, but we will not sell out our principles," one of the opposition parliamentarians, Julio Borges, told a local TV station, showing a bruised and bloodied face. "These blows give us more strength." One assembly worker, who asked not to be named, told Reuters the trouble began when opposition legislators shouted "fascist" at the National Assembly leader and unfolded a protest banner reading "parliamentary coup". Government parliamentarians attacked them. Laptops and tables were hurled and one legislator was hit over the head with a chair, the witness said. Workers later had to show their phones to see if they had photos or videos of the incident, the assembly employee said. |
| Government parliamentarian Odalis Monzon said she and some colleagues were attacked and beaten. "Today again I had to defend the commander's [Chávez's] legacy," she said. The government-controlled assembly had just passed a measure denying opposition members the right to speak in the chamber until they accept Maduro as president. "Until they recognise the authorities, the institutions of the republic, the sovereign will of our people, the opposition deputies will have to go and speak [to the private media] but not here in this National Assembly," said Diosdado Cabello, the head of parliament. Both sides accused each other of starting the fight. In a video that pro-opposition private TV station Globovision said it obtained from a parliamentarian, various assembly members could be seen hitting each other and scuffling to cries of "stop" from others. In another potential flashpoint for Venezuela the government and opposition are planning rival marches in Caracas on Wednesday to commemorate May Day. | Government parliamentarian Odalis Monzon said she and some colleagues were attacked and beaten. "Today again I had to defend the commander's [Chávez's] legacy," she said. The government-controlled assembly had just passed a measure denying opposition members the right to speak in the chamber until they accept Maduro as president. "Until they recognise the authorities, the institutions of the republic, the sovereign will of our people, the opposition deputies will have to go and speak [to the private media] but not here in this National Assembly," said Diosdado Cabello, the head of parliament. Both sides accused each other of starting the fight. In a video that pro-opposition private TV station Globovision said it obtained from a parliamentarian, various assembly members could be seen hitting each other and scuffling to cries of "stop" from others. In another potential flashpoint for Venezuela the government and opposition are planning rival marches in Caracas on Wednesday to commemorate May Day. |
| Venezuela has been on edge since the 14 April presidential election. At least eight people died in violent protests the day after the vote. There have been scores of arrests in what the opposition is calling a wave of repression. Maduro has accused the opposition of planning a coup. Former colonial ruler Spain this week offered to mediate in Venezuela's political tensions. But Maduro said no. "Stop sticking your noses in Venezuela. Spanish foreign minister, get out, you impertinent man. Venezuela is to be respected," he said, referring to José Manuel García-Margallo. | Venezuela has been on edge since the 14 April presidential election. At least eight people died in violent protests the day after the vote. There have been scores of arrests in what the opposition is calling a wave of repression. Maduro has accused the opposition of planning a coup. Former colonial ruler Spain this week offered to mediate in Venezuela's political tensions. But Maduro said no. "Stop sticking your noses in Venezuela. Spanish foreign minister, get out, you impertinent man. Venezuela is to be respected," he said, referring to José Manuel García-Margallo. |
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