(2 Apr 2014)
Venezuelan opposition lawmaker Maria Corina Machado was forced to flee on Tuesday when she unsuccessfully attempted to enter the National Assembly during her first public appearance since she was stripped of her congressional seat last week.
As she attempted to reach the National Assembly, Machado promised supporters she would keep fighting for the resignation of President Nicolas Maduro, her eyes running from tear gas that National Guardsmen fired to keep the crowd from following her.
She was blocked from getting to the National Assembly by riot police holding shields.
Machado told her supporters that her treatment was "a flagrant violation of the constitution" but after she was chased away by a group of government's supporters she fled on the back of a motorcycle.
Venezuela's high court on Monday affirmed the legality of Machado's ouster from Congress after she denounced the government at a meeting of regional diplomats.
She maintains that she is still a congresswoman.
Venezuelans had wondered if her attempt to re-enter the legislative building would end in her arrest.
The wealthy, well-travelled conservative has been a key figure leading the anti-government protests that have rocked Venezuela for seven weeks.
Find out more about AP Archive: [ Ссылка ]
Twitter: [ Ссылка ]
Facebook: [ Ссылка ]
Instagram: [ Ссылка ]
You can license this story through AP Archive: [ Ссылка ]
![](https://s2.save4k.ru/pic/UKGSalMRSuo/mqdefault.jpg)