Caracas, February 26 (RHC) -- Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro expressed his condolences to the family and friends of former boxing world champion Antonio Cermeno, who was found dead on Tuesday morning.

In Twitter, Maduro said Cermeno was founder of the Peace Movement proposing gang disarmament and the integration of young people into sports and work.

Cermeno was kidnapped on Monday in La Urbina, a sector in Caracas. The body of the 45-year-old world champion was found in Barlovento Street, near Caucagua, in Miranda state.

Maduro recalled that "the last time I met him, he told me: Maduro, don't give up, we will always support you."

The Venezuelan Public Prosecutor's Office ordered Anthonella Borges, attorney in Miranda, to investigate the murder of Antonio Cermeno.