Lawmakers Defy Curb on Congress

In a chaotic confrontation, Venezuelan lawmakers broke through crowds of protesters in Caracas and climbed over the fence of the capitol building, defying a constitutional assembly’s order that virtually shut down Congress. Police and guardsmen fired tear gas and water cannons to control the melee between hundreds of supporters and opponents of President Hugo Chavez. About 30 people were injured. At stake was the very existence of Venezuela’s legislature, whose powers were sharply curtailed this week by the constitutional assembly dominated by Chavez forces. Chavez, who staged a coup that failed in 1992, says a major shake-up of Venezuela’s institutions is necessary.