Venezuela's murder rate soars

[Bacchus39]

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2010-12-31/venezuelas-murder-rate-soars/1890638

Posted December 31, 2010 07:23:00

Map: Venezuela Venezuela, one of Latin America's most violent countries, had a staggering 17,600-plus murders in 2010 in a country of 29 million, a crime watchdog group said Thursday.

"And these are the conservative estimates," said Roberto Briceno Leon, head of the Venezuelan Violence Monitor (OVV).

"That does not include people killed resisting authorities, which would add on another 2,000 dead, nor those killed in December, which has been a bad month."

Venezuelans' number-one worry, violent crime is one of the worst problems faced by President Hugo Chavez's government, which no longer provides violent crime figures.

[naaman fletcher]

1. Depiste what some say here..

Security is job number 1 for a government. This will be Chavez's downfall. Of course, it will be blamed on the CIA.

[Bacchus39]

2. oh, well now that you mention it!!!

http://colombiareports.com/colombia-news/news/9481-chavez-blames-colombia-again-for-domestic-crime.html

Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez on Sunday said that the origin of Venezuela's soaring crime rates lies in Colombia and is orchestrated by the United States.

According to the socialist president, who has blamed Colombia for his country's murders and kidnapping before, Venezuelan security forces have been infiltrated by illegal armed groups. This infiltration, Chavez says, is part of a destabilization strategy by the U.S. carried out through Colombian paramilitary forces.

"The United States, Colombia and all illegal groups, paramilitaries and criminals, infiltrate Venezuela to kill and kidnap people to then say that Chavez can't pull it off," the Venezuelan head of state said on national television.

To confront this alleged sabotage of his government, Chavez said Cuba is assisting Venezuela in improving security.