Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro gestures as he speaks during the event launching the new Venezuelan cryptocurrency "petro" in Caracas, Venezuela February 20, 2018. REUTERS/Marco Bello
Reuters: Venezuela opposition to boycott 'fraudulent' presidential vote
CARACAS (Reuters) - 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, which confirmed a Reuters story on Monday, leaves Maduro on track for re-election but is likely to fuel international condemnation of democratic shortcomings in the socialist-ruled OPEC nation.
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.
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WNU Editor: Venezuela's Maduro is on a different page .... Venezuela's Maduro wants 'mega-election' amid opposition boycott (BBC). In the meantime the misery in Venezuela continues .... Venezuelans report big weight losses in 2017 as hunger hits (Reuters).