Venezuela passes new kidnapping law

CARACAS, Venezuela, Aug. 15 (UPI) -- Venezuelan lawmakers have passed a new bill requiring lengthy prison sentences for convicted kidnappers.

Conviction on kidnapping charges would come with a sentence of up to 30 years, twice the former penalty, El Universal reported Friday.

The new law comes at a time when the Venezuelan government has been attempting to crack down on hostage-taking in the South American country for both political and economic reasons.

Officials said they wanted to thwart efforts by rebels in neighboring Colombia to capture Venezuelan citizens, while at the same time deter criminals in Venezuelan cities from abducting people and demanding a ransom for their release.