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Image: Opposition lawmaker Stefanelli gestures next to fellow opposition lawmaker Leonardo Regnault after a group of government supporters burst into Venezuela's opposition-controlled National Assembly during a session, in Caracas

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Venezuela: Government Supporters Attack Opposition Lawmakers

Pro-government supporters storm the opposition-controlled legislature, injuring lawmakers, as Venezuela celebrates independence day.

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Image: Opposition lawmakers brawl with pro-government militias who are trying to force their way into the National Assembly

Pro-government militias wielding wooden sticks and metal bars storm congress on July 5, 2017.

— Fernando Llano / AP
Image: Aissami gestures after attending a ceremony to celebrate Independence Day, at the National Assembly

Tensions were already high after Vice President Tareck El Aissami made an unannounced morning visit to the National Assembly, accompanied by top government and military officials, for an event celebrating independence day.

The short appearance at the congress by top officials who have repeatedly dismissed the legislators as a band of U.S.-backed conspirators was seen by many as a provocation.

El Aissami said global powers are once again trying to subjugate Venezuela. "We still haven't finished definitively breaking the chains of the empire," he said, adding that President Nicolas Maduro's plans to rewrite the constitution — a move the opposition sees as a power-grab — offers Venezuela the best chance to be truly independent. 

— Juan Barreto / AFP - Getty Images
Image: Female soldiers march during a military parade marking the country's Independence Day

Female soldiers march during a military parade marking 206 years of Venezuela's declaration of independence from Spain.

— Ariana Cubillos / AP
Image: Supporters of the Venezuelan government storm the National Assembly

After El Aissami left, dozens of government supporters set up a picket outside the building, heckling lawmakers with menacing chants.

— Cristian Hernandez / EPA
Image: People react as a firecracker explodes outside the National Assembly, in Caracas

People react as a firecracker explodes outside the National Assembly.

— Carlos Garcia Rawlins / Reuters
Image: Government supporters break into Venezuelan Parliament and wound deputies

Government supporters invade the legislature.

— Miguel Gutierrez / EPA
Image: Opposition lawmaker Stefanelli gestures next to fellow opposition lawmaker Leonardo Regnault after a group of government supporters burst into Venezuela's opposition-controlled National Assembly during a session, in Caracas

Four lawmakers were injured.

ABOVE: Opposition lawmaker Luis Stefanelli, left, gestures next to fellow opposition lawmaker Leonardo Regnault.

— Carlos Garcia Rawlins / Reuters
Image: Opposition lawmaker Stefanelli holds an injured government supporter after he and a group of fellow government supporters burst into Venezuela's opposition-controlled National Assembly during a session, in Caracas

Opposition lawmaker Luis Stefanelli, center, holds the injured government supporter.

— Carlos Garcia Rawlins / Reuters
Image: Government supporters break into Venezuelan Parliament and wound deputies

Pro-government militias beat Deputy Armando Armas."This doesn't hurt as much as watching how every day how we lose a little bit more of our country," Arias said from inside an ambulance as he was being treated for head wounds that spilled blood across his clothes.

— Miguel Gutierrez / EPA
Image: Government supporters break into Venezuelan Parliament and wound deputies

Deputy Americo De Grazia, center, is beaten by protesters outside the National Assembly.

— Miguel Gutierrez / EPA
Image: Americo De Grazia

De Grazia is led away by bodyguards.

— Fernando Llano / AP
Image: Opposition lawmaker Americo De Grazia lies on an infirmery bed after he was injured when a group of government supporters burst into Venezuela's opposition-controlled National Assembly during a session, in Caracas

De Grazia lies on an infirmary bed before being taken in a stretcher to an ambulance. He suffered from convulsions, said a fellow congressman.

— Carlos Garcia Rawlins / Reuters
Image: Venezuelan Russian-made Mi-17 helicopters overfly a column of T-72B tanks during a military parade

Venezuelan Russian-made Mi-17 helicopters overfly a column of T-72B tanks during Wednesday's military parade.

— Federico Parra / AFP - Getty Images
Image: Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro and first lady Cilia Flores raise their fists during a military parade

Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro and first lady Cilia Flores raise their fists during the military parade.

Maduro condemned the violence, but complained that the opposition doesn't do enough to control "terrorist attacks" committed against security forces by anti-government protesters.

"I will never be an accomplice to acts of violence," said Maduro during a speech at a military parade.

The clash followed Tuesday's appearance of a 5-minute video posted by a former police inspector who allegedly stole a helicopter and fired on two government buildings last week.

 

RELATED: Venezuela: Helicopter Pilot Appears in Video, Vows to Keep Fighting

— Ariana Cubillos / AP
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