Venezuela buries sailor against family’s wishes

A Venezuelan navy captain who died of suspected torture while in state custody was buried by authorities on Wednesday against his family’s wishes. Officials quickly interred Capt Rafael Acosta at a Caracas cemetery 12 days after his death, while his family wanted him buried in the central city of Maracay, the family’s lawyer said.

“It’s as if the government is saying, ‘I killed him, so I’ll bury him,’” Alonso Medina Roa said. Acosta’s death came as the government of President Nicolas Maduro is under mounting international pressure after a United Nations report chronicled human rights abuses in the country. Mr Maduro is also facing a challenge from opposition politician Juan Guaido.