CARACAS -- Venezuelan police have identified three suspects in the killing of a student leader who helped organize protests against a constitutional rewrite proposed by President Hugo Chávez.

Justice Minister Tarek El Aissami says authorities are close to clarifying the Oct. 1 shooting death of University of Zulia student Julio Soto.

El Aissami said Monday that ''the investigation has advanced significantly.'' He did not elaborate on the suspects' alleged involvement in the killing.

Some government opponents believe that Soto was the victim of a politically motivated contract killing. They note that assailants sprayed his vehicle with gunfire and then fled without taking anything.

Soto was a member of the Copei opposition party.

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