Venezuelan lawmakers throw punches during National Assembly session

There's nothing like a good ol' brawl between the leaders of a Latin American nation

Published February 11, 2011 3:12PM (EST)

Push came to shove came to punch came to all out brawl in the Venezuela National Assembly on Thursday. Opposition lawmaker Alfonso Marquina had been ranting about the boisterousness of newly elected pro-Chávez leaders elected when a scuffle broke out around the podium. In a scene out of -- I dunno -- any viral fight video, it's unclear whether Marquina or Chávez supporter Henry Villanueva threw the first punch. Then bodies of other lawmakers on both sides rushed the podium like the pitching mound during a good baseball scuffle. Security eventually stormed in and the Vice President restored order.


By Adam Clark Estes

Adam Clark Estes blogs the news for Salon. Email him at ace@salon.com and follow him on Twitter @adamclarkestes

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