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Venezuelan lawmaker Robert Serra killed in Caracas | |
(1 day later) | |
A lawmaker from Venezuela's governing party has been killed in the capital, Caracas. | A lawmaker from Venezuela's governing party has been killed in the capital, Caracas. |
Robert Serra, 27, and his partner Maria Herrera were found dead at their home on Wednesday night. | |
Mr Serra was a member of the National Assembly for the Socialist Party (PSUV) and well known for delivering passionate speeches. | Mr Serra was a member of the National Assembly for the Socialist Party (PSUV) and well known for delivering passionate speeches. |
According to UN figures, Venezuela has the second highest peacetime murder rate in the world after Honduras. | According to UN figures, Venezuela has the second highest peacetime murder rate in the world after Honduras. |
'Immense pain' | 'Immense pain' |
Interior Minister Miguel Rodriguez Torres said the two were "vilely killed here in their house, a two-storied house, on the ground floor lay the woman and on the upper floor lay Robert Serra". | Interior Minister Miguel Rodriguez Torres said the two were "vilely killed here in their house, a two-storied house, on the ground floor lay the woman and on the upper floor lay Robert Serra". |
He said the motive behind the killing was not clear. | He said the motive behind the killing was not clear. |
"I call on members of the PSUV, on youth in political parties... on all citizens, to remain calm as we'll investigate this fully," he said. | "I call on members of the PSUV, on youth in political parties... on all citizens, to remain calm as we'll investigate this fully," he said. |
President Nicolas Maduro wrote on Twitter that an "immense pain hits us with the killing of Robert Serra", who was considered one of the party's most promising young leaders. | President Nicolas Maduro wrote on Twitter that an "immense pain hits us with the killing of Robert Serra", who was considered one of the party's most promising young leaders. |
"Robert, we'll follow your example, always true and firm on the path of the revolution, which you defended with such passion," Mr Maduro wrote. | "Robert, we'll follow your example, always true and firm on the path of the revolution, which you defended with such passion," Mr Maduro wrote. |
His killing comes 10 days after President Maduro announced he would expand a plan to disarm civilians. | His killing comes 10 days after President Maduro announced he would expand a plan to disarm civilians. |
Most of the murders in Venezuela are committed using firearms. | Most of the murders in Venezuela are committed using firearms. |
Last year, the president introduced tough penalties for illegal weapons possession, with sentences of up to 20 years in jail. | Last year, the president introduced tough penalties for illegal weapons possession, with sentences of up to 20 years in jail. |
But despite these new laws, the perception of insecurity among Venezuelan citizens remains high, correspondents say. | But despite these new laws, the perception of insecurity among Venezuelan citizens remains high, correspondents say. |
Earlier this year, many took part in a series of mass anti-government protests demanding increased security as well as measures to improve the economy. | Earlier this year, many took part in a series of mass anti-government protests demanding increased security as well as measures to improve the economy. |
Correction, 3 October 2014: Earlier versions of this story incorrectly stated Robert Serra had been shot dead. |
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