Venezuela's Maduro aims to 'whitewash' image with concessions, Guaido says

FILE PHOTO: Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro speaks during an event with the youth of Venezuela's United Socialist Party in Caracas, Venezuela June 22, 2020. Miraflores Palace/Handout via REUTERS

CARACAS (Reuters) - Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro is seeking to "whitewash" his image abroad with recent political changes seen as favorable to the opposition ahead of state and local elections in November, opposition leader Juan Guaido said on Wednesday.

Venezuela's electoral council this week lifted a ban on a major opposition coalition from participating in elections, and Maduro said he would no longer appoint "protectors" loyal to the ruling socialist party in states led by opposition governors.