Vehicle Carrying Opposition Politicians Attacked in Caracas

A vehicle carrying opposition politicians was attacked by “paramilitary groups” in Caracas, Venezuela, on January 15, according to National Assembly deputy Delsa Solorzano, who said she was inside the vehicle.

In an interview with local media, Solorzano said she and several colleagues were barred from entering the National Legislative Palace by soldiers, and “paramilitary groups” loyal to disputed incumbent president Nicolás Maduro shot at and attacked her vehicle when they left the site. She said her colleagues Carlos Berrizbeitia, Carlos Prósperi, and Angelo Palmeri were also in the vehicle.

Photos distributed by the official Twitter account of the Presidency of Juan Guaido show soldiers and military vehicles outside legislative buildings in Caracas.

No injuries were reported.

Reports said the vehicle was traveling in a caravan and went on to El Hatillo to “escape the violence.” A CNN Espanol vehicle was also part of the caravan and was hit by bullets, reports said.

Guaido held the National Assembly session in El Hatillo instead, tweeting: “The attack and cowardly ambush by military and paramilitaries against the deputies in the Federal Palace will not prevent us from fulfilling our mandate: @AsambleaVE You will be meeting today.”

Video distributed by the official Twitter account of the Presidency of Juan Guaido shows people in plain clothes attacking a vehicle with rocks and traffic cones, breaking the back windshield. Additional photos show damage to the vehicle. Credit: @Presidencia_VE via Storyful