Chile will ask Venezuela to extradite citizens suspected of killing an anti

SANTIAGO, Chile (AP) — Prosecutors in Chile said Friday they plan to formally request that Venezuela extradite two of its citizens to stand trial for charges related to the abduction and killing of a Venezuelan dissident in Chile earlier this year, a case that has strained relations between the South American nations.

Prosecutors ruled that the slaying of the activist and former army lieutenant was plotted in Venezuela. If proven, the grisly killing on Chilean soil could signal a new front in the widespread repression by the government of President Nicolás Maduro against the opposition ahead of his re-election contest later this year.

Venezuela has denied involvement.

Chilean prosecutors on Friday publicly implicated Venezuela’s largest criminal organization, the Aragua Train, in the crime. Authorities also hinted that they believe the culprits in the killing of 32-year-old Ronald Ojeda — who had sought asylum in Chile after protesting Maduro’s administration — may have been working on behalf of the Venezuelan government.