The national director of the Cicpc, Commissioner Douglas Rico, arrived in Mérida this Thursday, March 5, to personally direct the investigations into the alleged murder of journalist Walter Jaimes, 49, which occurred in the state of Mérida.
Rico appeared at the regional headquarters of the regional organization on Las Américas Avenue and led a specialized delegation. The National Union of Press Workers (Sntp) and the National College of Journalists (CNP) confirmed that the presence of the senior official accelerates the proceedings in the face of the commotion generated by the crime.
Judicial and administrative authorities approved the exhumation of Jaimes’ body on the night of March 5. The procedure, scheduled for the morning of this Friday, March 6, will allow for new forensic medical examinations and a counter-expertise requested by family members and journalistic associations.
The objective is to corroborate key elements of the case and facilitate the transfer of the remains to Bailadores or Tovar for a dignified burial.
Jaimes disappeared on Saturday, February 28. His body appeared on Sunday, March 1 (or was fully reported on Tuesday, March 3) in a wooded area near the Puente Viejo or El Anís sector, on the La Variante highway, Sucre municipality. He showed signs of extreme violence: face disfigured by blows and burns, severe head trauma and a skull fracture.
The body was buried in a common grave in Lagunillas, without initial identification or family farewell, which caused outrage in the union.
The victim’s sister, Roraxy Jaimes, scheduled a meeting with Douglas Rico. In it, a roadmap for the case was discussed.
The CNP accompanies the family, provided an autopsy certificate and death certificate, and participates in the exhumation commission. To date, no arrests or public identification of those responsible have been reported.
The Venezuelan journalistic union and international organizations demand quick justice, transparent investigation and protection for communicators. The case is still developing; Results of the exhumation are expected in the next few hours.
