"It's the same format, the same script, the same characters," Chavez said, drawing similarities with a failed military coup against him last year and a series of high-profile killings in recent months. On each occasion the opposition has blamed civilian deaths on violent supporters of the government and said a climate of impunity has prevented those responsible from being convicted.
Ricardo Herrera, a 46-year-old construction worker, was shot and killed at Thursday's rally by an unknown gunman who escaped on a motorcycle. Police have made several arrests in connection with the shooting. Cofavic, a Venezuelan human rights group, said Saturday that political violence is on the rise and attributed the problem in party to a lax justice system. Cofavic said 57 people have been killed and over 300 injured by gunfire in politically motivated violence since the failed coup in April 2002. Almost all the killings remain unsolved and no connection linking either the government or the opposition to any of the deaths has been established. [End]
"In this moment of pain, Colombia cannot surrender," said Uribe, who was elected promising to crackdown on the guerrillas. "Now, we have to fortify our decision to defeat terrorism." The deaths of Antioquia state governor Guillermo Gaviria, former Defense Minister Gilberto Echeverri and eight security force members outraged Colombians and led to renewed calls for the government to negotiate with the rebels. Three other hostages escaped, though two of them were injured. ***