Venezuela opposition condemns move to sideline coalition from presidential vote

Record ID: 991094

  • Title: Venezuela opposition condemns move to sideline coalition from presidential vote
  • Date: 26th January 2018
  • Summary: CARACAS, VENEZUELA (JANUARY 26, 2018) (REUTERS) GENERAL VIEW, VENEZUELAN POLITICAL OPPOSITION NEWS CONFERENCE CLOSE SHOT, FACE OF VENEZUELAN POLITICAL OPPOSITION LEADER, TOMAS GUANIPA JOURNALISTS AT NEWS CONFERENCE GENERAL VIEW, GUANIPA SPEAKING AT NEWS CONFERENCE (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) VENEZUELAN POLITICAL OPPOSITION LEADER, TOMAS GUANIPA, SAYING: "But, since they knew that on Saturday and Sunday there would be a show of force of people mobilizing that would fill the streets of Caracas and all of Venezuela to validate the (opposition) ticket that unites us all, they took it out of the game. And, just like the international media are saying today, the (Venezuelan) government's strategy is to take out the opposition so they can't compete in free elections and can't defeat (Venezuelan President) Nicolas Maduro." GUANIPA SPEAKING AT NEWS CONFERENCE NEWS CONFERENCE ATTENDEES CLOSE SHOT, FACE OF MAN AT NEWS CONFERENCE GUANIPA SPEAKING AT NEWS CONFERENCE WITH JOURNALISTS BESIDE HIM (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) VENEZUELAN POLITICAL OPPOSITION LEADER, TOMAS GUANIPA, SAYING: "Tell them that starting tomorrow and also Sunday, we're going to come out with even more force, with more will, with more intention to defend plurality and the political parties of Venezuela. And, that's why we're putting the First Justice (political party) ticket at the service of all Venezuelans - to defend us in the streets and to defend us as an instrument that can rescue democracy and freedom." VARIOUS, PEOPLE AT NEWS CONFERENCE CLAPPING, CHANTING GENERAL VIEW, GUANIPA SPEAKING AT NEWS CONFERENCE
  • Embargoed: 9th February 2018 16:55
  • Keywords: Venezuela opposition coalition presidential vote Venezuelan Supreme Court Nicolas Maduro
  • Location: CARACAS, VENEZUELA
  • City: CARACAS, VENEZUELA
  • Country: Venezuela
  • Topics: Government/Politics
  • Reuters ID: LVA0017ZR1HZ7
  • Aspect Ratio: 16:9
  • Story Text:Venezuelan opposition leaders on Friday (January 26) condemned the sidelining of their coalition from upcoming presidential elections, saying it was trickery by President Nicolas Maduro's administration to rig the vote in its favour.
    The pro-Maduro Supreme Court's move late on Thursday (January 25) to exclude the coalition from registering in the vote placed yet another obstacle ahead of the already disparate opposition.
    The vote is due by April 30, however, the opposition's most popular leaders, Leopoldo Lopez and Henrique Capriles, are already banned from standing.
    Critics say Maduro is depriving Venezuelans of a free and fair election during an unprecedented economic implosion.
    Thursday's (January 25) ruling said the coalition violated the principle of avoiding "double affiliation" in politics and therefore could not be validated.
    Critics see that as baseless, and the opposition is discussing its next move.
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