MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency
Silent protest: thousands at funeral of ex-Miss Venezuela slain in an armed robbery
Even accustomed to violence, the killings shocked Venezuela and the government Thousands of people attended the funeral of actress and former Miss Venezuela Monica Spear and her ex husband this Friday, in solidarity with the family of the couple that was slain this week in an armed robbery.
Those present were allowed access to the funeral chapel until shortly before 1 p.m., when, led by the actress' parents Rafael and Enna, the caskets were taken in a procession to the cemetery and the victims' final resting place.
“We're in a beautiful country that my sister loved. Let us do something for this country, raise awareness...let's limit the sale of arms. Let's find those ringleaders who are arming the people in such a mistaken, illegitimate way,” her brother, Ricardo Spear said.
Spear, 29, and Berry, 39, were fatally shot by robbers Monday after their vehicle suffered mechanical problems on a highway in Carabobo state and they pulled over to await help.
The couple's 5-year-old daughter was wounded but survived. Rafael Spear is trying to obtain custody and bring her with him to live in Miami.
Police went into action and soon rounded up seven members of a gang active in the area. Authorities said they are still looking for another four suspects.
Venezuela, a nation of roughly 29 million people, experienced 39 murders per 100,000 residents in 2013, according to official statistics, but the independent Venezuelan Violence Observatory estimates the homicide rate was actually 79 per 100,000.
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Read all commentsThis is the story of 23,000 Venezuelans every year.
Jan 11th, 2014 - 11:00 am 0Less pesky voters for Maduro I suppose.
Yes, let's ban the guns!
Jan 11th, 2014 - 05:18 pm 0It's the guns that kill people not the lazy bastards who cannot be bothered to go to school and learn to read and write, then get a proper job (are there any jobs?) then start a business.
Hang on a cotton picking minute! We are discussing one of the world’s most violent countries with thousands of guns provided to the people’s army by Chubby himself. AND the systematic rape of the small (and not so small) businesses by him and the busdriver!
So that’s alright then, carry on.
When will the LatAms learn that EDUCATION must be the priority and then the nurturing of capitalists so that everybody has a chance to earn some honest money? Ha, ha, ha.
I am going to have a lie down in a darkened room for even thinking it’s that simple.
Cue Stevie about how poisonous capitalism is.
It's ok, despite the posts being mostly in Spanish, Stevie was graciously saying he “agreed” with Mujica that Communist/Socialist ideology was not working in Uruguay and it had to be combined with Capitalism to generate income.
Jan 11th, 2014 - 06:33 pm 0He further went on to say I paraphrase, “economic growth before ideology”!!
That's right, isn't it Stevie?
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