Impunity and arms trafficking have made Venezuela one of the most unsafe countries in the Western Hemisphere - now even for diplomats with reports of kidnappings.
In late December Mexico's Ambassador and his wife were kidnapped and released after paying an undisclosed ransom.
The number of murders reached a record level in 2011, and authorities are struggling to cope.
Venezuela's government is forming a new 80,000 strong national police force to help states counter crime.
Al Jazeera's Lucia newman reports from Caracas, Venezuela.