Venezuelan teen blinded by police fire still wants to study

A Venezuelan teenager who lost his eyesight when he was hit by police buckshot during a protest says he wants to continue studying.

Wearing reflective sunglasses, 16-year-old Rufo Chacón also spoke briefly Friday about difficult living conditions in his home state of Táchira, where he was injured during a demonstration over a lack of cooking gas early this month.

Chacón and his mother, Adriana Parada, talked with journalists in Caracas after traveling to Venezuela’s capital to seek medical treatment.

Chacón’s case highlights concerns about security forces using harsh tactics to quell discontent over the country’s economic and humanitarian crisis.

Also Friday, the United States announced sanctions against four officials of Venezuela’s military intelligence unit following the death of a Venezuelan navy captain who was allegedly tortured in state custody.