Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado has named her replacement to take on President Nicolás Maduro in the country’s presidential election in July, after the arrest of two of Machado’s close aides.
The naming of Corina Yoris, 80, as the opposition’s candidate comes after Venezuela’s attorney general announced the detention of two of Machado’s closest allies earlier this week and also said arrest warrants had been issued for seven other people, including rumoured Machado replacement, Magalli Meda.
The decision all but marks Machado’s withdrawal from the election, planned for 28 July, after she was barred from holding public office – a ruling that was upheld by Venezuela’s highest court – even after winning a landslide 93% in an opposition primary last October.
The arrests of Machado allies, Henry Alviarez and Dignora Hernández, caused international outcry,.
“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,” US state department spokesperson Matthew Miller said on Friday.
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