VIOLENT clashes erupted as rioters stormed Venezuela's National Assembly today, leaving MPs injured and the country on the brink of civil war.

Blood was seen spattered on the walls after supporters of President Nicolas Maduro burst into parliament while opposition politicians were marking Independence Day.

6 Blood was spattered on the walls of Venezuela's National Assembly after activists stormed the building

6 Dozens of pro-government activists stormed Venezuela's National Assembly today Credit: Getty Images

#URGENTE: Diputados heridos a esta hora Americo De Grazzia, Armando Armas entre otros. #5Julio pic.twitter.com/yQJvmeskx8 — Oliver López Cano ® (@OliverLopezCano) July 5, 2017

Brandishing guns and dressed in red, the activists fired shots, threw stones and set off fireworks in the capitol building in Caracas, local reports claimed.

Shocking images show the walls dripping in blood and two opposition politicians with blood running down their faces.

The government supporters reached as far as the corridors of the congressional building, reportedly striking and injuring at least three lawmakers.

Some local reports have said up to eight people are understood to have been injured.

Pro-opposition Venezuelan website La Patilla said several deputies had been attacked by the mob.

It said there were "several injured inside the AN (National Assembly) who were beaten by violent groups".

Those injured are said to include opposition deputy Americo de Grazia.

Heridos al menos dos diputados tras violenta irrupción de colectivos a la AN https://t.co/MuhRZsTTW2 pic.twitter.com/tgH2ZXeXeV — Efecto Cocuyo (@EfectoCocuyo) July 5, 2017

6 Clashes erupted as opposition politicians were holding a session in parliament to mark the country's Independence Day Credit: Getty Images

6 The government supporters reached as far as the corridors of the congressional building Credit: Twitter @EfectoCocuyo

6 Tension is high in Venezuela after three months of anti-government protests Credit: Twitter @EfectoCocuyo

The attackers ordered journalists to stop filming and taking photographs and leave the premises.

Lawmaker Yajaira de Forero named three of her colleagues who she said were struck, including one who was taken away for medical treatment.

Tension is high in Venezuela after three months of anti-government protests that have seen 91 people killed in clashes with police.

Protesters blame Maduro for a desperate economic crisis, but he claims the chaos is the result of a US-backed capitalist conspiracy by the opposition.

The opposition-controlled legislature was holding a special session to mark independence day when the government supporters burst in.

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

MOST READ IN NEWS WINTER ON WA Brits enjoy late summer sun as polar plume threatens earliest snow in century Exclusive 'HE'S DEVASTATED' Kyle Walker 'furious' after fiancée admits to lockdown fling with toyboy SHORT SHARP LOCK Pubs & restaurants could shut completely within days in two-week lockdown SEE YOU IN SPRING 6 months of on-off lockdown as Boris to declare 'circuit breaker' in days COVID CLAMPDOWN PM unveils huge £10k fines for Brits who break covid self-isolation rules PUBS CRISIS Wetherspoons boss warns pubs face wipeout with up to a MILLION job losses

Before the violence broke out on Wednesday, Maduro's vice-president Tareck El Aissami had made an impromptu appearance in the congress along with the head of the armed forces, Vladimir Padrino Lopez and ministers.

El Aissami made an address in which he called on supporters of Maduro to come to the legislature to show support for him.

A crowd of Maduro supporters held a rally outside the building for several hours before breaking into the grounds.

Maduro retains the public backing of the military high command -- a key factor in keeping him in power, according to analysts.

The country has been struggling with a deepening economic crisis and has seen sometimes violent street protests demanding a change of government.

#URGENTE| Diputado @ArmandoArmas y funcionarios de seguridad de la AN resultan heridos durante hechos violentos en la AN. #5Jul pic.twitter.com/HYZSNm6EVl — El Nuevo País y Zeta (@enpaiszeta) July 5, 2017