Venezuela: opposition activists shot dead

(Vatican Radio) This tragic incident happened in the runup to the October 7th Presidential Election. Antonio Valero was a member of the official opposition, First Justice Party. The other man killed Omar Fernandez was an independent. The incident happened in President Hugo Chavez's home State of Barinas. Supporters of his party and the oppostion clashed and six people have been arrested. But no one has been so far arrested for the killings. Witnesses say that someone shot the men from inside a van. The Minister of the Interior says a full investigation is underway, but this appears to be an isolated incident. President Chavez who's been in power since 1999 is seeking another Presidential term. Yet Opposition Candidate Herique Capriles is running a highly competitive campaign. There have been worries about Hugo Chavez's health. During the last year, he's twice been operated on for an undisclosed form of cancer. Listen to this report from regional correspondent James Blears: