Venezuelan authorities have destroyed more than 65,000 firearms as part of a disarmament program designed to reduce the high levels of violent crime affecting the country.
Gen. Julio Cesar Morales says the number is double last year’s total and includes revolvers, automatic pistols, assault rifles, rifles and even homemade firearms.
The director general of arms and explosives for Venezuela’s Defence Ministry said the arms were destroyed Friday in a steel works in Lara state, 280 kilometres southwest of Caracas.
Most of the guns were seized in police operations.
Many Venezuelans feel that violent crime is the most serious problem facing the South American country.
