Lawmakers bloodied after pipe-wielding protesters storm Venezuelas National Assembly

The fracas came after an assembly session to mark Independence Day at the building in downtown Caracas. Various small explosions were heard, possibly from fireworks thrown into the legislative compound, witnesses said. Tensions are mounting after a referendum was announced to take place on 16 July over plans by the Socialist government of Nicolas Maduro to change the constitution.Venezuelas opposition is demanding general elections to end socialist rule and solutions to the OPEC nations brutal economic crisis.

The fracas came after an assembly session to mark Independence Day at the building in downtown Caracas. Various small explosions were heard, possibly from fireworks thrown into the legislative compound, witnesses said. Tensions are mounting after a referendum was announced to take place on 16 July over plans by the Socialist government of Nicolas Maduro to change the constitution.Venezuelas opposition is demanding general elections to end socialist rule and solutions to the OPEC nations brutal economic crisis.

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