Member of Venezuela's constituent assembly assassinated

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Tomas Lucena, a member of Venezuela's National Constituent Assembly (ANC), was murdered on Wednesday, Delcy Rodriguez, president of the top legislative body, informed.

The victim represented northwest Trujillo state.

"We condemn the vile assassination of the constituent for Trujillo, Tomas Lucena. We express our condolences to his parents, wife, children and friends," Rodriguez posted on Twitter.

Delcy Rodriguez, president of the Constituent Assembly, center, speaks next to Arlindo Chinaglia, a Brazilian lawmaker and head of Parlasur, right, during a joint news conference with the Parlasur delegation, the parliament of Mercosur trade bloc, in Caracas, Venezuela, Sept. 15, 2017. /VCG Photo

Rodriguez said that the assassination is under investigation.

Those "responsible for this reprehensible crime will be punished," said Rodriguez, adding that "nothing will stop the constituent assembly and its defense of Venezuela."

According to local media, the Public Ministry has yet to issue a statement on the killing, but Trujillo Gov. Henry Rangel Silva said Lucena "was intercepted by men on a motorcycle" who fired on him.

The controversial legislative body, constituted to draft a new Constitution, has come under fire from the country's right-wing parties, which allege the ANC usurps the power of the National Assembly (Congress), where the conservatives hold an absolute majority.

The ruling socialist party proposed the ANC as a way to overcome the political deadlock that has plagued Venezuela since President Nicolas Maduro was elected president with a slight lead over his right-wing rival.

Source(s): Xinhua News Agency