As election nears, Venezuelan government keeps arresting opponents allegedly tied to criminal plots

FILE - Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and first lady Cilia Flores flash victory signs as they arrive to the National Assembly for the annual presidential address, in Caracas, Venezuela, Jan. 15, 2024. As the July 28 presidential election nears, Venezuelan government keeps arresting opponents allegedly tied to criminal plots.

Attorney General Tarek William Saab has described the plots variously as aimed at attacking military installations, killing Maduro and other officials and de-stabilizing the country. He has publicly presented alleged confessions, planning documents, laptops and other items he has characterized as evidence.

Allowing free-market proponent Machado to run in the July election would offer Venezuela its best chance of a competitive race because no other candidate has anywhere near the level of support, money or political machinery to challenge Maduro. But the self-described socialist government has barred her from office for 15 years — an administrative order“If the regime believes that with these actions they are going to isolate me, let me be clear: My team is Venezuela,” she told reporters Wednesday.

“The mission confirms that, as has happened in the past, the authorities invoke real or fictitious conspiracies to intimidate, detain and prosecute people who oppose or criticize the government,” panel head Marta Valiñas told the council, which authorized the investigative mission. “At the same time, the Attorney General’s Office continues to operate as part of the government’s repressive machinery to grant the appearance of legality to the persecution of critical voices.

Maduro became interim president in March 2013 after the death of charismatic leader Hugo Chávez's. He narrowly won election weeks later and was re-elected in 2018 in an electoral process widely criticized as fraudulent.Maduro tied opposition leaders The administration of President Joe Biden has given Maduro until late April to comply with the deal or expect an end to the remaining relief, which would hurt the country’s oil-dependent economy.

United States Latest News, United States Headlines

Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.

Venezuelan ruling party officially makes President Nicolás Maduro its candidate for the July presidential electionVenezuelan ruling party officially makes President Nicolás Maduro its candidate for the July presidential election
Source: sdut - 🏆 5. / 95 Read more »

Africa's first female elected president surprised the U.S. has yet to elect a female presidentThis is additional taxonomy that helps us with analytics
Source: MSNBC - 🏆 469. / 51 Read more »

Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro clinches nomination for upcoming national election; seeks third termThe election has been plagued with controversy since Maduro's main opponent, María Corina Machado, was disqualified by Venezuelan authorities to hold public office for 15 years.
Source: CBSNews - 🏆 87. / 68 Read more »

UAW President touts President Biden’ union engagement as motive to have his backThis is additional taxonomy that helps us with analytics
Source: MSNBC - 🏆 469. / 51 Read more »

Kamala Harris to visit an abortion clinic, a first for a president or vice presidentYamiche Alcindor is an NBC News Washington correspondent.
Source: NBCNewsHealth - 🏆 707. / 51 Read more »

Harris will visit an abortion clinic, a first for any president or vice presidentVice President Harris is planning to tour a Minnesota abortion clinic during a trip to the Twin Cities on Thursday. It's believed to be a first for a vice president or president.
Source: NPR - 🏆 96. / 63 Read more »