CARACAS, Sept. 30 (Xinhua) -- Two supporters of Venezuelan opposition candidate Henrique Capriles were shot dead Saturday, authorities said.
The shooting took place in the central Barinas state when loyalists of Capriles and President Hugo Chavez clashed. Six people were arrested.
No one has claimed responsibility for the shooting, but Capriles' party, Primero Justicia (First Justice), said in a statement that supporters of Chavez were the perpetrators.
Interior and Justice Minister Tarek El Aissami described the bloodshed as an "isolated incident," saying the circumstances of the attack were still under investigation.
There had been shootings and fistfights in previous rallies since July, when both sides launched their election campaigns, but no deaths were reported.
Chavez, 58, who has been through several rounds of chemotherapies to cure a cancer in the pelvis, is seeking re-election in the Oct. 7 presidential vote.
Former state governor Capriles, 40, is considered the most serious rival that the incumbent has faced since he was first elected president in 1998.
CARACAS, Sept. 23 (Xinhua) -- Thousands of Venezuelans marched in the capital on Saturday to show their support for President Hugo Chavez, who is seeking another six-year term in the October vote.
Banners, flags and even the president's big pictures were waved highly by his red-shirt supporters, among them dozens of people in wheelchairs were following the parade at the Venezuelan Square. Full story
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