Venezuela activates security plan to combat kidnapping

Venezuela's Minister of the Interior, Justice and Peace, Nestor Reverol, on Friday announced the activation of the National Plan Against Kidnap, to combat this scourge in different forms.

During a ceremony here, Reverol said that the new plan seeks to address the problem, especially in the states of Carabobo and the Capital District both in the north, as well as in Miranda and Zulia in the west.

"The objectives of this plan are to strengthen prevention, investigation, combat and neutralization of kidnapping, to provide protection for the Venezuelan people," said Reverol.

The minister added that for this plan a total of 2,100 officials from Venezuela's national guard have been made available as well as over 100 members of the Bolivarian National Police and the Corps for Scientific, Penal and Criminal Investigations.

The plan will also activate an anti-extortion and kidnap telephone line for citizens to report cases. This will allow the appropriate actions and "measures to be taken," said Venezuela's interior minister.

"A National Commission with new strategies" will also be created in order to analyze all the situations and consequences of kidnapping, he added.

The commission will also be in charge of the care process and assisting kidnap victims and their family members.

"We are going to create a direct care unit for the kidnapping victims and their families as well as establishing protocols and care programs," said the minister.

Source : XINHUA