Violent Assault To Venezuelan Parliament Leaves Lawmakers Injured On Independence Day

A political and economic crisis in the oil-producing country of Venezuela, has spawned often violent demonstrations by protesters demanding Maduro's resignation and new elections. The unrest has left 90 people dead since April 1.

Nicolás Maduro supporters, once again, stormed the seat of the National Assembly in Caracas, Venezuela and attacked opposition deputies, after a solemn session on the occasion of Venezuela's 206 years of independence.

According to the president of the National Assembly, Julio Borges, there are five deputies injured. Chicago Tribune reported that one of the wounded is Americo de Grazia, and had to be taken in a stretcher to an ambulance suffering from convulsions. "Once again they violently take over the democratic institution of the country! This is the violence of Maduro," denounced on Twitter Borges.

Parliamentarian Luis Florido reported on Twitter the attack and showed the blood stained corridor leading to the chamber of sessions.

Univision Noticias reported that Deputy José Guerra said members of the Chavista collectives attacked with firearms. "There were shots, there is evidence in the window of second floor," Guerra confirmed.

The attack began early in the morning on Wednesday, July 5, after the Vice President of the Republic, Tareck El Aissami, retired from the commemorative act. After that, the militants stayed in the place to protest against the deputies, threatening to keep all of them inside the building by a period of six hours; becoming this the second kidnapping that undergoes the National Assembly.

After all the fingers pointed to Venezuela's president for the attack, Maduro sent a message condemning what he described as "strange events," avoiding censoring the violent actions.

"While this military civic event unfolded, strange events have also occurred at the East Gate and some corridors of the National Assembly. I absolutely condemn these acts as far as I know them at this time. I will never be complicit in any violence," said Maduro from the Paseo Los Próceres, where the traditional military parade was held for Independence Day.

Colombian government expressed "strong condemnation" after assault on Parliament:

"The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, on behalf of the Government of Colombia, expresses its strong condemnation for the acts of violence registered today in the Venezuelan National Assembly and in which several deputies, among others, were injured.

The Government of Colombia calls on the Government of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela and its authorities to ensure the safety of members of the public powers and respect for their autonomy, as set out in the Constitution of that country.

The Colombian Government also calls for a cease of violence and a national agreement that will allow Venezuela to overcome the deep crisis it is in," reads the press release.

The Venezuelan Observatory of Violence, said in 2013 that in Caracas there are 79 deaths per 100,000 inhabitants, almost 25,000 Venezuelans killed by violence in a year, which could be said to have doubled in the last four years.

Seven out of ten Venezuelans are rebuking the government, tired of the scarcity and brutal inflation that the IMF estimates at 720.5% this year.