Soldier kills three military personnel at Venezuelan air base

Security forces are searching for Raymond Paz, a Venezuelan soldier accused of shooting and killing three fellow military members at the Mayor Buenaventura Vivas Guerrero Air Base in Santo Domingo, Táchira state. The attack occurred on the night of Tuesday, October 20, 2026.

The deceased have been identified as Lieutenant Víctor Moreno, Sergeant Second Crismar Medina Puerta, and Sergeant Second Richard Espinosa Borges. Three other service members—Lieutenant Jhogliver Guillén, Sergeant Second Deimar Alejandra Merchán Gelves, and Sergeant Second Jesús Fernando Cordero Pacheco—sustained injuries during the incident.

Paz reportedly fled the scene with an AK-103 rifle and several magazines. Authorities have activated a security alert and deployed search operations in the southern region of Táchira to locate the suspect. While the motives for the shooting remain unknown, preliminary reports suggest the soldier may have been under the influence of psychotropic substances.