Gunfire kills Venezuelan protester

Venezuelan authorities are investigating the fatal shooting of a student leader who helped organise protests against constitutional amendments proposed by President Hugo Chavez.

Julio Soto, a student leader at the University of Zulia, was killed by unidentified gunmen in the western city of Maracaibo.

Local police chief Jose Gonzalez said Soto was targeted because the assailants sprayed his vehicle with gunfire and then fled.

Justice Minister Tarek El Aissami said federal authorities have not yet determined if the killing was a politically-motivated hit.