General Antonio Benavides, the head of military regional command 5 (CORE 5), rejected an alleged media campaign waged by opposition sectors that seek to attack the government using the issue of violence. "This is a problem that we recognize as State."

Benavides said that government authorities are facing an uphill battle against this scourge, adding that some results have been achieved. "We are working. The fact is that they are seeking votes (ahead of Venezuelan parliamentary voting)," said the military official on state-run TV network Venezolana de Televisión (VTV). At the same time, he challenged opposition groups to submit plans to reduce high crime rates in Venezuela.

Benavides said that criminals who attack law enforcement officials should not be counted as victims of the underworld war, because it is part of their destiny.