Venezuela Lawmakers Brawl Amid Election Tensions

CARACAS, Venezuela (AP) – Members of Venezuela’s National Assembly say postelection tensions set off a brawl between lawmakers that left one opposition assembly member badly bruised and bleeding. Opposition assembly member Ismael Garcia tells The Associated Press that pro-government legislators threw punches Tuesday night after members of his coalition tried to protest a proposal barring them from legislative activities.

Assembly member Julio Borges appeared on an independent television station soon after with blood running down one side of his swollen face. Pro-government legislators appeared on state TV accusing opposition members of attacking them. The opposition has refused to accept President Nicolas Maduro’s narrow April 14 victory, prompting the pro-government side to try to bar them from the assembly. Tuesday’s fight was the second in which opposition legislators said the other side attacked them.