WORLD BRIEFING / VENEZUELA

Venezuelan authorities began opening tombs to identify the remains of dozens of people killed during riots more than two decades ago and look for evidence against police and soldiers responsible for slayings.

The 1989 riots were triggered by an increase in gasoline prices and public transportation fares. Venezuela’s army was deployed as looting spread through the capital. At least 300 people died, according to the government of then-President Carlos Andres Perez. But human rights activists say hundreds more were killed -- many shot indiscriminately by security forces.