He is facing multi-million-dollar corruption charges relating to a previous term as governor of Zulia state.

BBC: Venezuela recalls envoy in Peru

Sabino Romero was reportedly stopped by two masked men on the El Tukuko motorway in the western state of Zulia.

BBC: Venezuela probes killing of Sabino Romero

At the time he was the governor of Zulia, Venezuela's richest and most populous state.

CENTERFORSECURITYPOLICY: Chavez's prisoners