Blood splattered on walls and MPs injured as rioters storm Venezuela's Parliament

Clashes erupted as opposition politicians were holding a special session to mark the country's Independence Day. Brandishing sticks and dressed in red, they set off fireworks in the capitol building in Caracas, unleashing chaos, AFP reported. Shocking images show the walls dripping in blood and politicians being treated for head injuries.

Various small explosions were heard, possibly from fireworks thrown into the legislative compound,

witnesses said. Footage from the scene showed two opposition lawmakers with blood running down their faces. The country has been struggling with a deepening economic crisis and has seen sometimes violent street protests demanding a change of government. Clashes erupted between supporters of embattled President Nicolas Maduro and opposition lawmakers.

Earlier this week, a police helicopter launched grenades at Venezuela's supreme court building following months of protests against the country's president, Nicolás Maduro.

Maduro said "terrorists" had lobbed two grenades that failed to detonate. Some reports put the number of grenades higher. Local media suggested a former police intelligence officer had carried out the attack.

Videos circulated on social media showed a man piloting the helicopter while holding a banner that read "Liberty.

Article 350", in reference to the part of the Venezuelan constitution that allows citizens to declare themselves in civil disobedience in front of "any regime that runs counter to democratic guarantees or undermines

human rights".

The incident took place just hours after Maduro warned that he and his supporters would be willing to take up arms if his government was toppled by

"undemocratic forces". AGENCIES