CARACAS, Venezuela: A Venezuelan court has issued arrest warrants for eight suspects in the killing of a student leader who helped organize protests against constitutional amendments proposed by President Hugo Chavez.

Authorities say they are close to clarifying the Oct. 1 shooting death of University of Zulia student Julio Soto.

The Attorney General's Office said in a statement released Monday that a court has issued arrest warrants for eight suspects, including "police officers and representatives of private businesses."

The office did not identify the suspects.

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