A car bomb killed a top Venezuelan prosecutor investigating opponents of President Hugo Chavez who were accused of backing a 2002 coup attempt against the leftist leader, officials said today.
The killing of prosecutor Danilo Anderson revived fears of renewed political violence in the world's No. 5 oil exporter, which until recently had been shaken by violent confrontation over Mr Chavez's six-year presidency.
Authorities said the yellow jeep destroyed in the remote-controlled blast in a Caracas suburb late last night belonged to Anderson, who was leading the case against several hundred opposition politicians, lawyers, businessmen and ex-military officers.
Interior Minister Mr Jesse Chacon said forensic tests on the badly burned body identified the driver as Anderson and an initial investigation showed an explosive had been placed near the driver's seat.
"An explosive was placed on the vehicle, which was detonated by wireless remote control," Mr Chacon said. "There is no other way to describe this other than terrorism."
Investigators found Mr Anderson's two handguns and three cell phones strewn around the wreckage of his car. Officials said the prosecutor had received threats and had recently been physically attacked in a shopping mall.
Political tensions had calmed in Venezuela recently after Mr Chavez won an August 15 recall referendum and consolidated his political control in October 31 regional elections that left opponents scrambling to redefine their role.