A second Portuguesa State murder squad baffles state prosecutors

<a href=www.vheadline.com>Venezuela's Electronic News Posted: Sunday, June 01, 2003 By: Patrick J. O'Donoghue.

According to local human rights group, a  second police murder squad is operating in Portuguesa State, which has seen a startling 146 homicides this year so far. In January, the State Attorney General's Office reported 21 summary executions, 31 in February, and 33 in March ... homicides dropped in April to 28 only to rise in May to 33. 

• The Attorney General's Office reports that the squad calling itself, "Exterminio II" has been sending out flyers and graffiti about its activities. 

Last year,  the first murder squad was discovered meriting a raid and investigation in Portuguesa State police barracks ... the surprising thing is that Portuguesa State has 800,000 inhabitants. In that investigation, 17 police officers were arrested and dismissed but what state prosecutors didn't know was that another murder squad was operating. 

Investigators say they believe the second squad has contacts with criminal elements and some suggest that both squads are basically one and the same group with many members working on different levels. The second murder squad has been more discreet than the first ... executions take place at night using shotguns to murder the victims in solitary places and in the absence of witnesses. 

Human rights groups suggest that the squads have been enjoying impunity, partly because the Attorney General's Office cannot protect witnesses ... 15 witnesses have been eliminated ... and partly, because judges have been threatened.