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Venezuela lawmaker Serra's murder blamed on far right Venezuela lawmaker Serra's murder blamed on far right
(about 7 hours later)
Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro has blamed "ultra-right" opposition groups in the country and in neighbouring Colombia for the murder a governing party lawmaker. Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro has blamed "ultra-right" opposition groups in the country and in neighbouring Colombia for the murder of a governing party lawmaker.
Robert Serra, 27, and his partner Maria Herrera were found dead at their home on Wednesday night in Caracas.Robert Serra, 27, and his partner Maria Herrera were found dead at their home on Wednesday night in Caracas.
Mr Maduro says the authorities are near to revealing the suspects' identities.Mr Maduro says the authorities are near to revealing the suspects' identities.
Ms Herrera and Mr Serra, one of Venezuela's youngest lawmakers, were reported to have been stabbed. Mr Serra - one of Venezuela's youngest lawmakers - and Ms Herrera were reported to have been stabbed.
"Terrorist groups encouraged by sectors of Venezuela's ultra-right and Colombian paramilitary groups are behind this [effort] to bring violence to our country," President Maduro said."Terrorist groups encouraged by sectors of Venezuela's ultra-right and Colombian paramilitary groups are behind this [effort] to bring violence to our country," President Maduro said.
Speaking at Mr Serra's funeral on Thursday, he said the investigation was "advanced", adding: "I think we're close to giving a strong blow to this criminal gang and assassins."Speaking at Mr Serra's funeral on Thursday, he said the investigation was "advanced", adding: "I think we're close to giving a strong blow to this criminal gang and assassins."
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.
Mr Maduro said the murders of Mr Serra and Ms Herrera were not random and that the authorities had detained suspects plotting to launch attacks from within other Venezuelan cities.Mr Maduro said the murders of Mr Serra and Ms Herrera were not random and that the authorities had detained suspects plotting to launch attacks from within other Venezuelan cities.
"In the course of this week... We have detained four different groups that came to attack our country's central cities, including Caracas, and fill them with violence," he said."In the course of this week... We have detained four different groups that came to attack our country's central cities, including Caracas, and fill them with violence," he said.
'Immense pain''Immense pain'
Mr Serra was a member of the National Assembly for the Socialist Party and well known for delivering passionate speeches.Mr Serra was a member of the National Assembly for the Socialist Party and well known for delivering passionate speeches.
Interior Minister Miguel Rodriguez Torres said that the murdered pair were "vilely killed here in their house... on the ground floor lay the woman and on the upper floor lay Robert Serra".Interior Minister Miguel Rodriguez Torres said that the murdered pair were "vilely killed here in their house... on the ground floor lay the woman and on the upper floor lay Robert Serra".
The killings came 10 days after President Maduro announced he would expand a plan to disarm civilians.The killings came 10 days after President Maduro announced he would expand a plan to disarm civilians.
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.