Hundreds of people gathered at the headquarters of opposition Acción Democrática (Democratic Action) party in Río Caribe, eastern Venezuela, to pay tribute to Mayor Franceschi Enrique Franceschi, killed on Sunday morning at his place.

Officers from the Bolivarian National Intelligence Service (Sebin), the Venezuelan Scientific, Criminal and Forensic Investigation Agency (Cicpc), and the National Guard have conducted raids in the area. A special security plan has been in force since the murder took place. Ten-day mourning has been declared.