Venezuelan Opposition Politician Assassinated At Rally

Lilian Tintori, wife of jailed opposition leader Leopoldo Lopez, speaks during a news conference in Caracas November 26, 2015. REUTERS/CARLOS GARCIA RAWLINS

Reuters: Opposition activist's murder shakes Venezuela before election

Venezuela opened an investigation on Thursday into the murder of a local opposition leader days before a legislative election, stirring fears of renewed political violence in the volatile South American OPEC nation.

Luis Diaz, a leader of the opposition Democratic Action party in Guarico state in Venezuela's central plains, was shot toward the end of a public meeting Wednesday night, the latest of several violent incidents during the campaign.

The Public Prosecutor's Office said on Thursday that two of its prosecutors, aided by police investigators, would lead the probe.

"There was a burst of 10 shots and he fell on the floor covered in blood," said Lilian Tintori, wife of jailed opposition leader Leopoldo Lopez, who was on stage near Diaz when he was shot.

Democratic Action is part of an opposition coalition contesting a Dec. 6 vote for a new National Assembly.

More News On A Venezuelan Opposition Politician Assassinated

Venezuela opposition politician Luis Manuel Diaz killed -- BBC

Venezuelan opposition politician shot to death at rally, party says -- CNN

Opposition leader shot to death in Venezuela -- UPI

Venezuela opposition leader slain at rally, Leopoldo Lopez's wife in attendance -- FOX News

Venezuela Opposition Denounces Government After Official Killed -- WSJ

Venezuelan Politicians Trade Accusations Following Murder -- Bloomberg

Venezuela opposition figure's killing was gangland hit: president -- AFP

Tension Grows in Venezuela With the Assassination of an Opposition Politician -- VICE News

U.S. condemns killing of opposition member in Venezuela -- Reuters

US condemns murder of opposition politician before Venezuela election -- The Guardian