Venezuela says US interfering in its presidential election

Venezuela says the United States is interfering in its upcoming elections, a day after Washington criticized Caracas for barring an opposition candidate from holding public office for 15 years.

Venezuela's government disqualified opposition candidate Maria Corina Machado, from holding office.

The country's controller general said in an official statement on Friday that a previous ban on Machado, has been extended because she supported US sanctions against the government of President Nicolas Maduro.

She was barred from holding office in 2015 for 12 months.

The US State Department questioned the move to bar Machado, saying Venezuelans should be able to act freely in the 2024 presidential elections.

In a statement on Saturday, the Caracas government firmly rejected “the new attempt by the government of the United States to interfere in its internal affairs.”

It also defended its actions as a sovereign and independent nation.

Machado has been disqualified on the basis of "administrative irregularities" during her tenure as a deputy, according to Venezuelan authorities.

She is also accused of backing the parallel presidency of opposition figure Juan Guaidó.

Machado, the former lawmaker, described the ban to her supporters as “rubbish” saying that it would not affect her campaign.

Under the ban, Machado will not be able to register with electoral authorities and therefore run for the presidential election.

Venezuela’s opposition said it will hold primary elections in October in hopes of selecting a single candidate to rival Maduro in the 2024 presidential vote.

SS