VENEZUELAN opposition rioters “wanted to burn children” when they attacked a maternity hospital in the capital last week, the mayor of a Caracas district said on Friday.

Armed gangs — which Foreign Minister Delcy Rodriguez claims were hired by the opposition Democratic Unity Roundatable coalition — tried to torch the Hugo Chavez Maternal and Children’s Hospital in the capital during the second day of nationwide regime change protests on Thursday.

Patients, including 54 children, had to be evacuated as rioters assaulted the facility named after the late socialist president with burning rubbish, sticks and stones.