Students take cover from tear gas and rubber bullets fired by police during a demonstration by students from the Central University of Venezuela demanding a referendum on removing President Nicolas Maduro. (AFP)
Caracas – A top Venezuelan opposition lawmaker was injured when police fired tear gas and forcefully broke up protesters demanding the authorities to move forward with a recall referendum against President Nicolas Maduro.
It was the fourth time in recent days that police have cracked down on protesters trying to march on the National Electoral Board (CNE), the gatekeeper to a referendum the opposition says must be held this year to stop a country in crisis from exploding into unrest.
Late Thursday, CNE official Luis Emilio Rondon said signatures from the petition to recall Maduro would be validated from June 20 to 24 — the next step in the lengthy process.
Full details would be announced Friday, he said.
Led by a group of opposition lawmakers, the protesters earlier Thursday defied a cordon of police and soldiers.
They tried to enter the CNE’s headquarters, unleashing a heated shoving match with police.
A brawl broke out and punches flew when the protesters faced pro-government sympathizers.
Julio Borges, the congressional majority leader, was attacked with clubs, punches, and kicks. Despite wearing a protective helmet, he was forced to flee to a nearby office.
He later spoke to reporters with blood running down his nose.
“We were going peacefully to ask to be heard, like any other Venezuelan,” but the board members “refused to see us,” he said.
“They believe that they’re above the constitution, above the people.”
Prosecutors said late Thursday they were launching a formal investigation into the assault.