VENEZUELA’S embassy chief vowed this weekend that the killers of the country’s youngest ever MP will be caught. 

Charge d’affaires Alfonso D’Santiago told the Morning Star on Saturday that he is “certain” the assassins of Congressman Robert Serra and his wife Maria Herrera will be brought to justice. 

His comments came as Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro confirmed the hunt has turned to a “band of criminals” that ex-Colombian president Alvaro Uribe “has directed all of his life.”

Mr D’Santiago, — his country’s highest representative in Britain — was speaking at a meeting of the Venezuelan Solidarity Campaign (VSC).

The campaign’s annual conference opened in sombre mood with a minute’s silence for the murdered couple. 

The diplomat told the socialist country’s supporters that their work is more important than ever in the wake of the latest bid to destabilise its democratically elected Socialist Unity Party government. 

“Solidarity is particularly important to Venezuela right now as we face threats from inside and outside the country,” said Mr D’Santiago. 

“I’m sure that with your friendship and support — which is of immeasurable value to us — we will overcome such difficult times.”

Mr Serra was buried by comrades on Friday after being stabbed to death at his home in a working-class district of Caracas on Wednesday night.

The 27-year-old rising star had become the youngest ever member of the National Assembly after last year’s elections.

VSC secretary Dr Francisco Dominquez said the attack on Mr Serra appeared “well calculated and savagely executed.”

He said: “I think there are dark forces involved.

“They are likely to be linked to right-wing paramilitaries in Colombia and dark forces in Washington.”

Unite assistant general secretary Tony Burke also warned: “It’s possible we’re going to see more” attacks on Socialist party leaders in the run-up to Venezuela’s regional elections in December.

Mr D’Santiago was speaking in Britain for the first time since arriving from Caracas to take up his charge d’affaires post. 

Britain will receive a new Venezuelan ambassador later this year.