US Ambassador Charles Shapiro concerned about escalation of violence

www.vheadline.com Posted: Friday, February 28, 2003 By: Robert Rudnicki

US Ambassador to Venezuela Charles Shapiro has expressed his nation's concern over the escalation of violence in Venezuela over the past two weeks.  The US diplomat met with Interior & Justice (MIJ) Minister Lucas Rincon, during which the pair discussed the killings of three soldiers and a civilian two weeks ago as well as the explosions at Spanish and Colombian diplomatic missions in Caracas earlier this week.

"We are worried because obviously they were executions ... we are worried about the physical and verbal violence from both sides, I have said this on several occasions."

Shapiro's comments come several days after President Hugo Chavez Frias told US State Department spokesmen to stop meddling in Venezuelan affairs.