Venezuela’s National Assembly President and opposition leader Juan Guaido tries to climb the fence to enter the compound of the Assembly in Caracas, after he and other opposition lawmakers were blocked by police, Jan. 5, 2020.
CARACAS - Venezuelan opposition leader Juan Guaido made his way into the legislative building on Tuesday following a standoff with security forces.
The opposition leader recognized by the U.S. as Venezuela's rightful president led lawmakers in singing the national anthem.
Guaido was initially blocked by dozens of national guardsmen from entering.
Venezuela's opposition is facing its biggest test yet after government-backed lawmakers announced they were taking control of what Guaido supporters have described as the nation's last democratic institution.
Guaido has served as president of the National Assembly for the last year and used it as his platform to gain international recognition.
He was expected to be re-elected as the legislature's leader Sunday but was blocked along with several other lawmakers from entering congress.
Former opposition ally Luis Parra declared himself the National Assembly's leader, claiming to have won the votes of 81 lawmakers.
The opposition refutes that tally and says 100 lawmakers, a majority, voted for Guaido in a legislative session held at a Venezuelan newspaper.