Faced with an election ban, Venezuela opposition leader names alternate

Maria Corina Machado, the opposition leader in Venezuela’s upcoming presidential election, has thrown her support behind an alternate candidate as she continues to face a ban from running for office.

 

She named the 80-year-old historian and professor Corina Yoris to be her replacement in the July 28 race.

The announcement came on Friday, as the administration of President Nicolas Maduro received international condemnation for its alleged pressure campaign against Machado.

Earlier in the day, the United States Department of State issued a statement condemning the arrests of individuals close to Machado, including two members of her campaign: Dignora Hernandez and Henry Alviarez.

“The decision by Maduro and his representatives to detain two members of the leading opposition candidate’s campaign and issue warrants for seven others represents a disturbing escalation of repression against Venezuela’s opposition parties,” spokesperson Matthew Miller said in a statement.

“We continue to call for the immediate release of all political prisoners.”

Alviarez had served as national coordinator for Machado’s liberal party, Vente Venezuela. Hernandez, meanwhile, was the party’s political secretary.

They both were arrested on Wednesday on conspiracy charges, for allegedly fomenting violence.

Venezuela’s Attorney General Tarek William Saab described them as participating in schemes to attack military installations, among other acts aimed at “destabilising” the country.

Other party members, including Machado’s close associate Magalli Meda, had arrest warrants issued for similar charges.