www.vheadline.com Posted: Tuesday, March 18, 2003 By: Patrick J. O'Donoghue

The Police Detective Branch (CICPC) investigating the murder of three soldiers that formed part of the Altamira Plaza military rebellion has confirmed reports of a third women allegedly kidnapped in the incident.

A CICPC spokesperson says the woman’s name emerged from interrogations and she has been tracked down and is a key witness in the murder enquiries.

The unnamed woman is said to be emotionally involved with one of the main suspects that now number 8 persons.

The police source has clarified that the beating received by former suspect, Edgar Machado Rojas is not directly connected to the murders but was an excuse to cover up the real motives of the murders.

Investigations now point towards vengeance killings and not crime of passion.

www.vheadline.com Posted: Thursday, March 13, 2003 By: Patrick J. O'Donoghue

The mothers of two conscripts claim the army has tortured their sons during interrogations about a missing FAL assault rifle. At Cocollar (Sucre) training camp (once a notorious anti-guerrilla operations theater in the 60s), Gladys Sanchez Maita and Yoly Carrieles allege that the army special operations school used anti-guerrilla interrogations methods on sons, Ramon Maita Sanchez (23) from Cumana and Jimmy Esqueda Carrieles (19) from Maracaibo.

Young Maita had to be rushed to Cumana hospital after allegedly spending four nights standing in a locker, electric shock to the testicles, plastic bags placed over the head, hung in the air by the hands and placed in a tank full of excrement.

According to the women, one Captain Pena fired shots close to the boys when they were hung from a tree.

Both women say their boys did not steal the rifle but blame a recruit that allegedly deserted.

Cumana garrison commander Colonel Teodoro Garcia admits the recruits are under his care and says Maita stole the rifle, is all right and just wants cheap publicity.