VENEZUELA

Venezuela's rival political factions traded accusations Thursday after the killing of an opposition official, increasing tension as the nation's parliamentary elections approach.

Luis Manuel Diaz, a coordinator for the Democratic Action party, was gunned down at a rally in central Venezuela late Wednesday. Lilian Tintori, wife of jailed opposition leader Leopoldo Lopez, was yards away from Diaz on the stage at the time.

"They want to kill me," Tintori said at a news conference in Caracas on Thursday, saying she was splashed by the victim's blood. Blaming President Nicolas Maduro for the killing, Tintori said: "We know that you gave the order." Voters are preparing to elect members of parliament on Dec. 6. - Bloomberg