Acarigua tourism official found murdered after signs of torture

Authorities in Acarigua, Portuguesa, are investigating the murder of Bismar Coromoto Páez Márquez, the 43-year-old tourism coordinator for the Páez municipality and a candidate for city council. His body was discovered on Tuesday morning near a drainage canal in Musiú Carmelo Park, found tied and covered in a black bag.

Forensic analysis indicated the victim suffered signs of torture, including fractures to both hands and sharp-force wounds to the head and limbs. The official cause of death was determined to be asphyxiation by suffocation. Following the discovery, investigators located Páez Márquez’s black Ford Fiesta in a parking lot near the San Antonio neighborhood.

Family members reported that the victim was last seen on Monday night, stating he was going to meet an individual interested in purchasing a vehicle. The Cicpc (Cuerpo de Investigaciones Científicas, Penales y Criminalísticas) is currently examining the vehicle for biological traces and other evidence as they pursue multiple hypotheses to identify the perpetrators.