CARACAS (Venezuela) -- Venezuela's opposition group, backed by the United States, will file a complaint at the Inter-American Court of Human Rights regarding the physical attack on its leader over the weekend while visiting a rural community as part of an effort to unify his party and other allies.

Juan Guaido blamed Tuesday's altercation on President Nicolas Maduro. He presented photos from Saturday's attack, which he claimed showed associates of Venezuelan's ruling party.

Guaido stated at a news conference that "what those of us here aren't going to do is get used the language of hate, the violence perpetrated under the dictatorship." "We will not only denounce the attack on institutions currently hijacked today by the dictatorship but also in the corresponding international organizations."

The judicial system in Venezuela has become an executive branch. It plays a crucial role in Venezuelan politics and can impose harsh sentences on critics of the socialist government.

After Satuday's attack, Guaido was seen being held back by people as they gather around him. Then someone tears his shirt off. Guaido said that at least two people were hurt; one had a wrist injury, and the other had a concussion.

The incident occurred at a San Carlos plant nursery, about 168 miles (270 km) southwest of Caracas. It was a gathering of opposition leaders. Guaido is currently on a tour of the country with his party and its allies in preparation for the 2023 primary election.

Maduro arrived in Qatar on Tuesday as part of a multistop tour in Europe and Asia. He has not commented on the attack. Diosdado Cabello (leader of the United Socialist Party of Venezuela) suggested Monday that the attack was carried out by members of Voluntad Popular.

"Do not blame them. Cabello stated that violence is generated wherever they pass through. He was referring to the opposition party. They are the ones responsible for their violence and fights. Then, they blame the rest of Venezuela."

This incident occurred a week after Guaido supporters were confronted by a barrage from Maduro allies in Maracaibo with flying plastic chairs, fisticuffs and a barrage of grenades.

Guaido is recognized by the United States and other countries as Venezuela's interim President. After accusing Maduro of manipulating his 2018 reelection as president, they withdrew their recognition of Maduro.

Guaido at the time drew huge crowds of supporters into the streets. But much of the momentum has evaporated.

Officials from the U.S., as well as other countries backing Guaido, have demanded an investigation into the attack against the opposition leader since Saturday.

------

This report was contributed by Shaylim Valderrama, an Associated Press journalist.