Venezuela opposition to boycott presidential vote

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Venezuela's opposition coalition said on Wednesday it could not participate in a "fraudulent, illegitimate" presidential election on April 22 due to unfair conditions created by President Nicolas Maduro's government.

The announcement by the Democratic Unity movement leaves Maduro on track for re-election.

Maduro's two strongest opposition rivals are both barred from running against him: Leopoldo Lopez is under house arrest, while Henrique Capriles is prohibited from holding office due to accusations of misconduct when he was a state governor.

Venezuelan opposition leader and Governor of Miranda state Henrique Capriles rallies against President Nicolas Maduro in Caracas, May 20, 2017. /VCG Photo

Venezuela's national election board already banned the Democratic Unity coalition, plus some of its main parties, from running under their party names.

The coalition said the country is in a severe economic crisis and they are challenging Maduro's government in the name of immense majority of Venezuelans.

Venezuelan evangelical pastor and presidential pre-candidate Javier Bertucci talks to the media during a news conference in Caracas, Feb. 21, 2018. /VCG Photo‍

The Democratic Unity's decision leaves Maduro facing just one confirmed candidate so far: a little-known evangelical pastor named Javier Bertucci.

Another likely candidate is opposition leader Henri Falcon, a former state governor who parted with the socialists in 2010. He has uttered his desire to run against Maduro but many see him as a Trojan horse seeking to help Maduro legitimize a rigged vote.

A placard depicting Venezuelan opposition leader Leopoldo Lopez is seen outside his house in Caracas, Aug. 1, 2017. /VCG Photo

Maduro has faced calls in Latin America and internationally to improve conditions for the vote, with the United States pondering oil sanctions to pressure him.

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Source(s): Reuters