Group: Near 14,000 murders in Venezuela last year

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/nationworld/2013641499_apltvenezuelacrime.html

Close to 14,000 people were murdered in Venezuela last year and the figure could be significantly higher, a prominent human rights group said Thursday, alluding to the rampant crime that has become a central concern of Venezuelans.

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The bullet-ridden bodies of victims fill morgues on weekends, and the vast majority of murder cases go unsolved.

Venezuelans are generally distrustful of the country's police. Many citizens were not surprised when Justice Minister El Aissami revealed last year that police are involved in 15 to 20 percent of all crimes, particularly kidnapping and murder.

In its report, Provea said police were responsible for more than 230 slayings over the last year, including 26 people who died of excessive force or torture.