María Corina Machado, a critic of Venezuela’s government, took an overwhelming lead in Sunday’s primary election. Voter turnout was high despite repression and censorship, but it is still unclear if Ms. Machado will be allowed to run.
Venezuela’s government escalated attacks Tuesday on the past weekend’s opposition primary to choose a challenger for President Nicolás Maduro next year, saying the voter turnout claimed by organizers was inflated and amounted to a crime. Maduro’s government and its allies have spent months hindering opposition efforts to hold their primary election and have banned the now-apparent winner from being a candidate — leaving the effectiveness of Sunday’s poll in doubt. The attacks on the legitimacy of the primary also could sow fear among voters already wary of government reprisals for participating in the polling.
Venezuela s government escalated attacks Tuesday on the past weekend s opposition primary to choose a challenger for President Nicolas Maduro next year, saying the voter turnout claimed by organizers was inflated and amounted to a crime.