Venezuela Indigenous chief found dead, NGO says

Human rights NGO Provea said Julio Rodriguez, an Indigenous leader of the Jivi Ekunay people, has been found dead after being kidnapped for eight days from a southern Venezuelan mining town.

Provea said Rodriguez had been abducted by alleged members of FARC dissident groups. The NGO described his death as an assassination and said he had been kidnapped from his home and taken away in front of the community.

A group of Indigenous leaders and youth who went to look for him days after the kidnapping were ambushed and attacked with explosives dropped from drones, Provea said.

The NGO called for an investigation and swift sanctions against those responsible.

According to Provea's tally, more than 48 Indigenous people from the Pemon, Warao, Jivi, Yanomami, Piaroa and Wayuu peoples have been killed since 2010 by security force agents and non-state actors, including alleged members of FARC and ELN dissident groups.

Venezuela's mining region contains gold, diamonds and rare earths and is largely controlled by armed gangs or guerrillas, including FARC and ELN, AFP reported.