2 Indians killed amid dispute in western Venezuela

CARACAS, Venezuela (AP) – President Hugo Chavez says authorities are investigating the shooting deaths of two Indians during a dispute in western Venezuela.

The cause of the conflict in the Yukpa Indian tribe community near a mountain range bordering Colombia remains unclear.

Stewar Millan, a representative of the Yukpa, blamed local ranchers for Tuesday’s slayings.

But Neuro Chacin of the local cattleman’s association said the killings occurred during a conflict between Indians.

Tensions between ranchers and Indian tribes have been growing in the region in recent months because of a government initiative to demarcate ancestral Indian territories.

Chavez lamented the killings during a televised speech on Wednesday.