Perez survives attempt on life

(First Edition)

CARACAS (Reuter) - Gunmen failed in an attempt to assassinate the Venezuelan President, Carlos Andres Perez, yesterday, but killed three people when they opened fire on a limousine carrying the president, radio and television reports said.

Mr Perez was unharmed in the attempt, which occurred in Paraguaipoa on the Colombian border in Venezuela's western Zulia state. He had gone there to attend the dedication ceremony of a hospital.

Presidential bodyguards returned fire and at least seven people were injured, including as many as four children. The gunmen reportedly were travelling in an open truck packed with Guajiro Indians. It crashed into one of the cars in the presidential convoy. Mr Perez was reportedly on his way back to Caracas.