Consul's daughter killed by police

The 19-year-old daughter of a Chilean diplomat in Venezuela has been killed by police at a road checkpoint.

Consul Fernando Berendique in the western city of Maracaibo said his daughter Karen, was shot early yesterday while in a vehicle with her brother and another young man.

He said the trio ignored a command to stop by police at the checkpoint, fearing the officers might be robbers. Violent crime is widespread in Venezuela.

The Prosecutor General's Office said 11 police officers were being investigated over the death. It said Ms Berendique died from three bullet wounds.

Judicial police chief Jose Humberto Ramirez condemned the shooting and what he called "bad police practices".