Venezuela opposition party says two leaders shot dead

30/09/2012 - 1:15

CARACAS (Reuters) - The political party of Venezuelan opposition leader Henrique Capriles said on Saturday that two of its local leaders were shot to death during a rally in the state of Barinas a week before the nation's presidential election.

Primero Justicia (First Justice) said the gunmen fired from a van that witnesses identified as belonging to state oil company PDVSA or the local mayor's office - but there was no immediate confirmation of the incident or reaction from Venezuelan authorities.

Venezuela is awash with guns, and violent crime is frequently cited as voters' No. 1 concern.

(Writing by Andrew Cawthorne; Editing by Peter Cooney)