AT the heart of the city with the highest murder rate in the world is a "holy temple" dedicated to the gangsters behind the killings.

The Santos Malandros (Holy Thugs) shrine in Venezuela's capital city has become a magnet for those terrified of death.

11 Pictured are some of the gangsters who are worshipped at the shrine in Venezuela Credit: AP:Associated Press

More than 14,000 people were killed in the country last year and Caracas has the highest murder rate per capita in the world.

It is in the middle of all this mindless bloodshed that the bizarre cult of the "Holy Thugs" was born - and it's growing by the day.

Locals are now so desperate for protection they worship the spirits of these dead gangsters in return for protection and luck.

The cap-wearing statues have handguns tucked in their brightly-coloured trousers and cigarettes hanging from their mouths.

11 The shrines all feature men smoking cigarettes with guns tucked into their belts Credit: Alamy

11 Locals worship them in the belief they will protect them from violence Credit: Alamy

11 Ivan, a believer, makes an offering as he pours alcohol over the statues of Ismael and Elizabeth who was the girlfriend of Ismael Credit: AP:Associated Press

11 Ismael is said to have been a 'good and honourable thug' who stole from the rich and gave to the poor Credit: AP:Associated Press

Those that visit the memorials are told to light a fag, place it in the mouth of the statue before taking part in a bizarre ritual.

They are ordered to strip off their shirt, are threatened with knives before they are told they have been "saved from violence."

They are far removed from the usual religious icons which are treasured in the traditionally catholic South American country.

One local said: "If you worship them, they will help you. They are trustworthy. If you believe they will help you."

11 Another shrine with dozens of the statues on display Credit: BBC

11 BBC reporter Ben Zand lights a cigarette to appease the gangster saints Credit: BBC

11 The cigarette is lit then placed in the statue's mouth Credit: BBC

Every day, hundreds of desperate Venezuelans pour through the bustling cemetery's gates to worship the statues.

They ask for a variety of seemingly simple blessings: protection from theft, the health of a loved one, or just not getting shot.

The spooky site was recently visited by BBC journalist Ben Zand for his fascinating World's Most Dangerous Cities series.

He joined those taking part in the ceremonies - which included many of the poorest members of Venezuelan society.

11 Statues of Ismael stand at the pantheon of Santos Malandros, or Holy Thugs, in Caracas Credit: AP:Associated Press

However, the unusual practice of worshipping these thugs doesn’t date back too far, according to Professor Daisy Barreto.

The anthropologist and cult expert reveals the Holy Thugs only became prominent in the highly dangerous city in 1989.

This was when the streets of Caracas were devastated by three days of rioting - which became known as the Caracazo.

Dr Barreto said: "The Maria Lionza cult is not static and constantly incorporates new saints who reflect the country’s situation.

11 Believers smoke cigars with the statues Credit: AP:Associated Press

11 Pictured are statues of criminals wearing pistols at a ceramics workshop in San Cristobal, Venezuela Credit: Alamy

"The mediums started receiving these thug-like figures to reflect the wave of crime that the country has experienced."

The most popular of the Santos Malandros is Ismael - a "good and honourable thug" who stole from the rich and gave to the poor.

It is believed he was shot in the back and killed by a rogue cop sometime in the 1950s or the 1960s.

Worshippers believe he has come back "from the dead" to seek redemption by helping those who are most in need.

By doing this he will be at peace, and attain the justice that he was denied, they say.

The requests and prayers that are received by the spiritual priests of the cult can be quite varied.

Priest Santiago Rondon said: “In one day I can receive a mother who wants Ismael to turn her child away from drugs ora boy who wants Ismael to find him a gun.”

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While praying for ‘evil’ things like somebody’s death or revenge is discouraged, there are plenty who do just that.

Ismael is just one of the deities at the shrine of the Santos Malandros.

Some of the others are Malandro Pelon (“The Baldy”), Isabelita, Freddy (“The Turkey”), “The Mouse” and “Crude Oil”.

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