Opposition takes control of parliament

Venezuela's opposition took majority control of the National Assembly on Tuesday after years in the political wilderness, setting the stage for a potential power struggle with embattled President Nicolas Maduro.

Lawmakers were sworn in during a heated parliamentary session that saw pro-government representatives walk out in protest after pushing their way onto the dais as the new leadership tried to lay out its legislative agenda.

It's the first time in 17 years, since elections in December 1998, that opponents of the revolution begun by the late president Hugo Chavez have held a majority in the legislature, and many leaders seemed rapt in disbelief.