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| Caribbean-Latin America |
| Chilean consul's daughter gunned down by Venezuelan police |
| 2012-03-18 |
| Several policemen have been arrested in Venezuela after the teenage daughter of a Chilean diplomat was gunned down in the western city of Maracaibo. Karen Berendique, 19, died when police opened fire on the car in which she was a passenger. Police say the car - driven by the teenager's brother - did not stop at a police checkpoint. Police said the officers had been looking for a gang involved in robberies and car thefts. The officer in charge of the investigation, Jose Humberto Ramirez, promised transparency and said a special commission had been set up. Ms Berendique's father, Fernando Berendique, who is the Chilean consul in Maracaibo, said his son had been driving his sister to a birthday celebration. He said that they came across a police patrol who pointed guns at them, rather than asking them to stop. The consul said his son panicked and the officers opened fire. Mr Berendique said the car had six bullet holes in it, and that his daughter had been hit three times. |
| Posted by:ryuge |
| #1 I spent some time in Maracay back in the '90's. The military rode around armed to the teeth and daring anybody to get in their way. Since then I've heard they are far worse than my time there. It is a beautiful country and the people, for the most part, are fine folks. I will say I'm glad I didn't leave anything there I needed to go back and get. |
| Posted by: past master of the obvious 2012-03-18 14:24 |