Robert Serra facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Robert Serra
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| Born | 16 January 1987 Maracaibo, Venezuela
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| Died | 1 October 2014 (aged 27) Caracas, Venezuela
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| Cause of death | Murder by stabbing |
| Occupation | Criminologist and politician |
| Political party | PSUV |
Robert Serra (born January 16, 1987 – died October 1, 2014) was a young Venezuelan politician from Maracaibo. He was a member of Venezuela's National Assembly and belonged to the United Socialist Party of Venezuela (PSUV).
Contents
Early Life and Politics
Robert Serra was known for his strong opinions and passionate way of expressing them. He was a big admirer of Fidel Castro and supported the Cuban revolution.
He studied at Andrés Bello Catholic University. It was sometimes hard for him to connect with other students there. Most students came from middle-class families with traditional views. Serra was very dedicated to his political beliefs, even for someone who supported the Chavista movement. He sometimes said things that caused strong reactions from other students. Because of this, he was sometimes escorted to and from campus by armed police.
In 2010, at just 23 years old, Robert Serra made history. He became the youngest person ever elected to Venezuela's national legislature. This was a big achievement for such a young politician.
His Passing
Robert Serra and his friend, María Herrera, were found dead at his home in Caracas on October 1, 2014.
Government Investigations
After the discovery, the Venezuelan government said that opposition groups were responsible for his death. President Nicolas Maduro promised to share official reports about what happened. He also suggested that people from other countries, like former Colombian president Alvaro Uribe, were involved. Mr. Uribe denied these claims.
President Maduro also accused certain groups in Venezuela and Colombia. He showed a video of a man who supposedly confessed to the event. The man claimed he was told to "get rid" of Serra. The government stated that money was paid to several people involved. Seven people were arrested in connection with the case.
Other Ideas About What Happened
Some people had different ideas about what happened to Robert Serra. They wondered if it was related to a robbery or a betrayal. Some experts found it hard to believe it was a political attack.
Robert Serra was also known to be close to groups called colectivos. These are community groups, some of which are armed. One leader of a colectivo, José Odreman, was a close associate of Serra. Odreman later made statements hinting at problems within the government and then died in a separate incident. Some believed there might be a connection between these events and Serra's death, though the government denied it.
Arrests and Trials
In November 2014, a man named Leiver Padilla Mendoza was caught by police in Colombia. He was later sent to Venezuela in 2015 to face trial for the deaths of Serra and Herrera.
In June 2015, Julio Cesar Velez was arrested in Venezuela. He was a former politician from the Colombian city of Cúcuta. He was accused of encouraging the event.
See also
- Inés González Árraga
Images for kids
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A mural honoring Robert Serra in Maturín.
