CARACAS, Venezuela — Socialist hardliners in Venezuela opened fire during a march headed by Juan Guaidó, injuring a 16-year-old demonstrator and adding to tensions in the country as the opposition leader seeks to revive his campaign to oust Nicolás Maduro. A photo of the confrontation shows a masked man brandishing a pistol pointed toward a group of opposition activists, including Guaidó, who can be seen staring down the unidentified man. The confusing incident Saturday in the central city of Barquisimeto is believed to be the first time pro-government vigilantes known as colectivos have aimed a weapon at Guaidó, who the U.S. and more than 50 other countries recognize as Venezuela's rightful leader following Maduro's re-election in 2018 in a race the opposition says was marred by irregularities. The city's former mayor and opposition activist Alfredo Ramos said the marchers led by Guaidó were “ambushed"by about 200 colectivo members and government security forces loyal to Maduro.

Source: International New York Times February 29, 2020 22:03 UTC